With Nithya Raman elected Los Angeles' next mayor, residents of Council District 4—including Hollywoodland—are facing an important question: Who will represent them at City Hall for the remainder of Raman's term?
Raman is scheduled to assume the mayor's office on December 14, 2026. Her current City Council term, however, does not expire until December 10, 2028.
Under Section 409 of the Los Angeles City Charter, the City Council has two options: appoint a successor or call a special election. It may also appoint a temporary representative while a special election is conducted.
Appointment: Continuity Without an Election
An appointment could provide CD4 with representation relatively quickly, avoiding the expense and organizational demands of a special election.
Supporters of this approach may favor continuity in constituent services, ongoing legislation and district projects. A qualified appointee could begin addressing neighborhood concerns without a lengthy campaign.
The principal concern is democratic representation. Rather than being chosen by CD4 voters, the replacement would be selected by the other City Council members and could potentially serve through December 2028.
Special Election: Letting Residents Decide
A special election would give CD4 residents the opportunity to evaluate competing candidates and select their own councilmember.
An election could also bring greater public discussion of district priorities, including wildfire preparedness, public safety, hillside development, transportation and neighborhood preservation.
However, special elections require additional public funding, take time to organize and may attract fewer voters than regularly scheduled elections. The Council could appoint a temporary representative during that period to maintain district services.
City Council Leadership Signals Interest in an Appointment
According to LAist reporting published November 6, the office of City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson intends to consult with Mayor-elect Raman about a possible appointment to the Fourth District seat.
The statement indicates that an appointment is under consideration, but no formal decision has been announced.
Los Angeles has used both approaches in recent years. Heather Hutt was initially appointed to represent CD10 in 2022, while voters selected Imelda Padilla in a 2023 special election for CD6.
Who Might Seek the Seat?
Political interest in the vacancy has already emerged.
Julia Wick of L.A. Material identified two potential contenders:
Ethan Weaver, a deputy city attorney who challenged Raman in the 2024 CD4 election, has reportedly expressed interest in running again.
Jimmy Biblarz, a former CD5 candidate who has reportedly moved into CD4, has also been described as interested in seeking the seat.
Neither has been confirmed as a formally declared candidate for the anticipated vacancy. Additional names may emerge if the Council chooses a special election.
What Comes Next for Hollywoodland?
CD4 encompasses neighborhoods across the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley, each with distinct concerns and priorities.
For Hollywoodland, continued attention to wildfire prevention, emergency evacuation routes, Hollywood Sign tourism, traffic management, zoning and preservation of the Hollywoodland Specific Plan remains particularly important.
Whether the next representative is appointed or elected, residents have a substantial interest in the selection process and in how their neighborhood priorities will be represented.
The question is not simply who succeeds Raman, but how CD4's next representative will be chosen.
As of November 7, no appointment, special election or successor has been formally announced.
Sources
Los Angeles City Charter, Section 409 — Filling Vacancies
Los Angeles City Clerk — Current Elected Officials and Terms
LAist — Raman and the City Council, November 6, 2026
L.A. Material — Inside the Shadow Primary to Replace Nithya Raman
