Los Angeles's 12th City Council district
Introduction '''Los Angeles's 12th City Council district''' is one of the fifteen districts in the Los Angeles City Council. It is currently represented by Independent John Lee since 2019 after he was elected to finish Mitchell Englander's term. Lee is the only Independent on the nonpartisan City Council, previously being a Republican much like his predecessors.The district was created in 1925 after a new city charter was passed, which replaced the former "at large" voting system for a nine-member council with a district system with a 15-member council. At the time of creation, it was situated in Downtown Los Angeles before being moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1964.Within recent years up until 2020, the seat was held by Republicans and was considered a Republican stronghold within a Democratic city. It is the second largest district behind the 11th district.
Geography The district covers the northwestern San Fernando Valley communities of Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Northridge, Porter Ranch, West Hills, North Hills, and Reseda.The district is completely within California's 32nd congressional district, California's 27th State Senate district, and overlaps California's 38th and 45th State Assembly districts.=== Historical boundaries ===From 1925 to 1964 the district occupied the same general area in northwest Downtown Los Angeles, Bunker Hill , and Westlake, with a district office at 1209 Huntley Drive. Between 1928 and 1954, the boundaries expanded the district. In 1954, it was now Downtown, between Figueroa and Catalina streets. In 1955, it bordered Venice Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and Figueroa Street.In 1964, the council had discussed moving the 12th district to the northwest San Fernando Valley which had grown in population over the years, and incumbent John P. Cassidy agreed to do so, saying he would relocate to the area. At the time, the area included Granada Hills, Northridge, Chatsworth, Panorama City , and the northern half of Canoga Park and had a population of about 190,000.
List of members representing the district CouncilmemberPartyDatesElectoral history District established July 1, 1925.100px  '''A. J. Barnes'''Progressive July 1, 1925 – June 30, 1927Elected in 1925.Lost re-election. 100px  '''Douglas E. Foster'''Republican July 1, 1927 – June 30, 1929Elected in 1927.Lost re-election. 100px  '''Thomas W. Williams'''Socialist July 1, 1929 – April 13, 1931Elected in 1929.Died. ''Vacant'' April 13, 1931 –June 3, 1931  100px  '''Thomas F. Ford'''Democratic June 3, 1931 – March 1, 1933Elected and appointed to finish Williams's term. Resigned when elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. ''Vacant'' March 1, 1933 –March 17, 1933 100px  '''James T. Carroll'''Democratic  March 17, 1933 – June 30, 1933Appointed to finish Ford's term. Not a candidate in the next election. 100px  '''John W. Baumgartner'''Democratic  July 1, 1933 – June 30, 1945Elected in 1933.Re-elected in 1937.Re-elected in 1941.Re-elected in 1943.Retired. 100px  '''Ed J. Davenport'''Democratic  July 1, 1945 – June 24, 1953Elected in 1945.Re-elected in 1947.Changed parties in 1948.Re-elected in 1949.Re-elected in 1951.Died.Republican ''Vacant'' June 24, 1953 –September 1, 1953 100px  '''Harriett Davenport'''Independent  September 1, 1953– June 30, 1955Appointed to finish her husband's term. Retired. 100px  '''Ransom M. Callicott'''Republican  July 1, 1955 – November 14, 1962Elected in 1955.Re-elected in 1959.Died. ''Vacant'' November 14, 1962 –December 7, 1962  100px  '''John P. Cassidy''' Republican December 7, 1962 – June 30, 1967Appointed to finish Callicott's term. Elected in 1963.Re-elected in 1965.Lost re-election. 100px  '''Robert M. Wilkinson'''Republican July 1, 1967 – June 30, 1979Elected in 1967.Re-elected in 1969.Re-elected in 1971.Re-elected in 1975.Retired. 100px  '''Hal Bernson'''Republican July 1, 1979 – June 30, 2003Elected in 1979.Re-elected in 1983.Re-elected in 1987.Re-elected in 1991.Re-elected in 1985.Re-elected in 1999.Retired. 100px  '''Greig Smith'''Republican July 1, 2003 – June 30, 2011Elected in 2003.Re-elected in 2007.Retired. 100px  '''Mitchell Englander'''Republican July 1, 2011 – December 31, 2018Elected in 2011.Elected in 2015.Resigned. ''Vacant'' December 31, 2018 –January 15, 2019  100px  '''Greig Smith'''Republican January 15, 2019 – August 23, 2019Appointed to serve until next election. Retired. 100px  '''John Lee'''Republican August 30, 2019 –presentElected to finish Englander's term. Changed parties in 2020.Re-elected in 2020.Independent
References
External links *  Official  '''City Council District 12''' website