Herman J. "Herb" Wesson Jr. (born November 11, 1951) is an American politician who served as a councilmember representing the 10th District for three terms between July 1, 2005 and December 14, 2020, and again on an appointed basis from March 22, 2022 until August 25, 2022. He was also the President of the Los Angeles City Council and Speaker of the California State Assembly. Early life and career Wesson was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 11, 1951. He has one younger brother. He received his undergraduate degree in history from Lincoln in 1999, where he was initiated as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Before his term in the California State Assembly, Wesson was the chief of staff of former Los Angeles City Council Member Nate Holden and in the same position for former Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Burke. After being termed out of the Assembly, he became a senior adviser and special assistant to Burke. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Family Wesson and his wife, Fabian, have four children. State Assembly (1998–2004) Wesson served in the California State Assembly, representing the 47th district from 1998 until 2004. He was unanimously elected Speaker of the California State Assembly in January 2002 and served in the role until February 2004. He was the second African-American to be elected Speaker of the California Assembly. His legislative agenda focused on education, environmental protection and healthcare. City Council (2005–2020; 2022) On November 8, 2005, Wesson was elected with almost 80% of the vote to represent the 10th Council District in the Los Angeles City Council, in a special election to fill the vacancy created when Martin Ludlow resigned. The 10th Council District is located in central and South Los Angeles, and includes the neighborhoods of Koreatown, Little Bangladesh, West Adams, Jefferson Park, Wilshire Center, South Robertson, Arlington Heights, Leimert Park, Faircrest Heights, Gramercy Park and parts of Baldwin Hills. Wesson won a full term in March 2007 with 99.7% of the vote. He was reelected in 2011 and again in 2015. In 2022, he was appointed by City Council President Nury Martinez to replace Mark Ridley-Thomas for the 10th district seat after the Ridley-Thomas was indicted on a federal corruption case. He was sworn in on Tuesday, February 22, but was blocked from participating as a council member until March 17 by Judge Mary H. Strobel. Strobel