Monica Rodriguez
Monica Rodriguez at Los Angeles Trade Tech College in 2019
Member of the Los Angeles City Council
from the 7th district
Assumed office
July 1, 2017
Preceded byFelipe Fuentes
Personal details
BornLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationOccidental College (BA)

Monica Rodriguez is an American politician in California. She currently serves as a Los Angeles City Council member, and represents the 7th district. The district is located in the San Fernando Valley, and includes the neighborhoods of Pacoima, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, Shadow Hills, Sun Valley, Lake View Terrace, and Mission Hills. Rodriguez was sworn in on July 1, 2017.

Career

Prior to her election to the Los Angeles City Council, Rodriguez served as Vice President the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, overseeing essential city services. She was appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to the Board in 2013. As Vice President, she partnered with the private sector to start a rain barrel program and spearheaded an upgrade to the city's contracting website so that it was easier to use, especially for small-, minority- and women-owned businesses that have a harder time navigating the city's contracting process. She also started a small-business academy to help less-advantaged businesses gain a leg up.[1]

Rodriguez previously served as a Community Affairs Manager for Mayor Richard Riordan and as an aide to Los Angeles City Councilmembers Mike Hernandez and Richard Alarcon. She also served as a Chief Deputy to Los Angeles Unified School Boardmember Caprice Young and as an executive in the California Realtors Association.

Los Angeles City Council (2017—)

Elections

2007

Rodriguez first ran for City Council in 2007, to replace former Councilmember Alex Padilla, who had recently been elected to the California State Senate. Though he had been elected to the State Assembly less than four months prior, former Councilmember Richard Alarcon successfully reclaimed his old City Council seat, defeating Rodriguez and avoiding a runoff.[2] In 2010, Alarcon was indicted on perjury and voter fraud charges for not living in his district and lying in campaign disclosure documents about his official residence. He was eventually convicted of three counts of voter fraud and one count of perjury.[3]

2017

On May 16, 2017, Rodriguez was elected to represent the 7th District in the Los Angeles City Council, in a special election to fill the vacancy created when Councilmember Felipe Fuentes resigned to become a registered lobbyist.[4] During the campaign Rodriguez received the endorsements of Mayor Eric Garcetti,[5] the Los Angeles Times,[6] and the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. She defeated Karo Torrossian, an aide to City Councilmember Paul Krekorian by over 1,300 votes.[7]

After being sworn in in July 2017, Rodriguez joined Councilmember Nury Martinez as the only women on the Los Angeles City Council.[8]

2022

On June 7, 2022, Rodriguez was re-elected to the 7th District with nearly 68% of the vote during the statewide direct primary election, defeating former Pacoima Neighborhood Council President Elisa Avalos. [9]

Obstructing the Ethics Commission

In 2023, Rodriguez voted to block Jamie York, a nominee for the Ethics Commission. In doing so, Rodriguez prevented Ethics Commission from doing its work, which included enforcement of campaign finance, contracting, lobbying and conflict of interest laws. At the time, the LA City Council had been embroiled in numerous ethics scandals. Rodriguez did not explain her vote.[10]

Personal life

Rodriguez lives in the Mission Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles with her husband Raul, a car salesman and their two children.[1] She received her undergraduate degree from Occidental College.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 "ELECTION 2017: Monica Rodriguez stayed in northeast LA, now she wants to lead it". Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  2. ↑ Hymon, Steve (March 7, 2007). "At least six incumbents win reelection to L.A. City Council". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  3. ↑ Karlamangla, Soumya; Zahniser, David (July 23, 2014). "Guilty verdicts another blow to Alarcon family". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  4. ↑ "L.A. Councilman Felipe Fuentes plans to step down early to become a lobbyist". Los Angeles Times. August 14, 2016. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Mayor Garcetti backs Monica Rodriguez in crowded Pacoima-area LA City Council race". Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  6. ↑ "A persistent and effective advocate, Monica Rodriguez for Council District 7". Los Angeles Times. April 21, 2017. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Election Night Results". cityclerk.lacity.org. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  8. ↑ Agrawal, Nina (May 17, 2017). "Monica Rodriguez's election triumph means there will be two women on L.A. City Council". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Election Results". results.lavote.gov.
  10. ↑ "Why is the ethically challenged L.A. City Council obstructing the Ethics Commission?". Los Angeles Times. August 22, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Full Biography for Monica Rodriguez". www.smartvoter.org. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
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