After November 5th, when it became clear that many of the protections and programs that make California special will be threatened by the Trump Administration, Councilmember John Erickson believed he had a responsibility to step up and run for State Senate.
In response to the onslaught of threats from the federal government, John continues to hold town halls to address what the State can do to protect reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, housing, environmental issues and federal dollars for fire protection and rebuilding. His experience authoring and helping to pass policies and legislation, both locally and at the state level, is critical to meeting this moment and effectively addressing the unprecedented challenges we face today.
West Hollywood Councilmember. Chief of Staff at Alliance for a Better Community. Former VP of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. John Erickson, has been advocating for a better world ever since he was a young boy in Ripon, Wisconsin. His trajectory from advocate for all to nonprofit executive and public servant began at the age of 6 when he started accompanying his grandmother Gladys to volunteer at the local food bank. Still in elementary school, John started accompanying Gladys to the state capitol to lobby for veterans’ and women’s rights.
While advocacy has always been part of John’s life, it was when he was selected to become a City Council intern in West Hollywood that he saw the importance of having outspoken, bold advocates in public office. After completing his internship with the Council, John went on to become a Council Deputy for former Mayor Abbe Land and a City staffer tasked with advancing policies and initiating programs around women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, the environment, and civic engagement.
After leaving the city, John served as a Legislative Representative for LAX—Los Angeles Airport—and then went on to work for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles.
In 2020, John was elected to the West Hollywood City Council on a platform of neighborhood preservation, housing and homelessness, renters’ rights, healthcare, equity, and sustainability.
John has proven to be a courageous, proactive, and unflappable leader. During his tenure at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, John was instrumental in protecting access to healthcare and reproductive freedom for all—especially after the Dobbs decision. On the City Council, when COVID and MPOX hit the community hard, John made sure the city protected residents and small businesses, especially those most at risk. Already skilled at navigating Sacramento, John was part of the End Statute of Limitation on Rape (ERSOL) Campaign, which overturned California’s statute of limitations on rape and sexual assault in 2016. He led state efforts for Grab-and-Go legislation, which cracked down on small business thefts, created a program to distribute drink-spiking test strips in bars to crack down on date rape, and initiated a remarkably successful drone program and anti-gun violence ordinance that has led to a reduction in violent criminals. In his city, John authored groundbreaking legislation on aging in place for seniors and the successful homelessness program, WeHo Cares. He has made healthcare more accessible to reduce the city’s carbon footprint. Many of his initiatives have become models for cities throughout the country. Under his leadership as mayor, he helped amass a $31 million budget surplus while expanding city services for public safety and city services.
As the Vice President of the California Contract Cities Association, and a member of the National League of Cities, the Clean Power Alliance, and the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, John is already at the forefront of the issues most impacting the 24th Senate District. His grasp of how government works from top to bottom—what works and what doesn’t—will inform the kind of meaningful change he will make in Sacramento.
As Chief of Staff for the Alliance for a Better Community, John helps advance the rights of the Latino community across Los Angeles County. In 2017, John became the governor’s appointee to the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, serves on the board of the Los Angeles Women’s March Foundation, and was a lead organizer for the historic Resist March. His volunteer advocacy work includes serving as a National Board member of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Former President of the ACLU of Southern California, and a volunteer at Project Angel Food, helping to feed the homebound and food insecure.
John graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a B.A. in English and Women’s Studies. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in American Religious History from Claremont Graduate University and a Dual-Master’s Degree from Claremont Graduate University.
John and his dog Winnie are proud renters and are often seen cycling and hiking throughout the 24th Senate District.
ABOUT JOHN
THE 24TH SENATE DISTRICT INCLUDES THE CITIES OF:
Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Lomita, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Santa Monica, Torrance, West Hollywood, and Westlake Village; the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Bel Air, Beverly Grove, Brentwood, Fairfax, Holmby Hills, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Little Holmby, Mid City West, Pacific Palisades, Playa del Rey, Sunset Hills, Venice, Westwood, and Westwood Village; and the unincorporated Los Angeles County communities of the Santa Monica Mountains and Marina Del Rey.
WHERE IS THE 24TH STATE SENATE DISTRICT?