Know Your Local Government
The San Fernando Valley is a patchwork of different federal, state, city, county and neighborhood districts - all with their own representatives, terms and rules. You can see *exactly* who your reps are by address with links to more info by checking out our homegrown interactive map on our website
All the politicians in the Valley are currently Democrat, Independent, or in nonpartisan seats - so it’s worth digging into the details of the policies they support and whose interests they typically serve. It’s worthwhile to get involved locally. Not only is it where voting and organizing can have the most impact, but these impacts can in turn affect policy for the state or nation. Many federal-level politicians got their start locally. It’s also much more feasible to learn about the issues first-hand instead of relying on big media or political party PR. So if you have been compelled to do something lately, here’s a good place to start.
US Federal Government
These officials are who to look to for representation on national issues.
US Senators
You may know California’s 2 current Senators are Alex Padilla (2022-2028) and Adam Schiff (2024-2030), but did you know they both live in the Valley? Padilla grew up in Pacoima and currently lives in Porter Ranch and Schiff lives in Burbank. Padilla has previously served in LA City Council, the CA Senate, and as CA Secretary of State; and Schiff has served in the CA Senate and the US House.
US Representatives
Below are the Congressional District numbers and incumbents. They have 2-year terms.
CD 27 (North - Porter Ranch, Granada Hills): George Whitesides
CD 29 (North/East - Lake Balboa to Sylmar): Luz Rivas
CD 30 (East - Burbank to Lakeview Terrace): Laura Friedman
CD 32 (South/West - Woodland Hills to Studio City to Chatsworth): Brad Sherman
California State
These are who to look to for representation on state issues. There is a Senate and an Assembly that work with Governor Gavin Newsom in a similar structure to the federal level. Senators have 4-year terms and assemblymembers have 2-year terms.
CA Senate Districts
SD 20 (Central, North/East - Canoga Park to Burbank to Sylmar): Caroline Menjivar
SD 27 (Hills - Granada Hills to West Hills to Sherman Oaks): Henry Stern
CA Assembly Districts
AD 40 (North - Chatsworth to Granada Hills to Northridge): Pilar Schiavo
AD 43 (North/East - Valley Glen to Sylmar): Celeste Rodriquez
AD 44 (South/East - Sherman Oaks to Burbank): Nick Schultz
AD 46 (South/West - West Hills to Encino): Jesse Gabriel
Los Angeles County
LA City and County reps are who to look to in handling local issues and creating policy for greater Los Angeles. County supervisors and city councilmembers both have 4-year terms. In addition, there are two incorporated cities in the Valley which instead of city councilmembers have their own governing bodies.
LA County Districts
CD 3 (West - most of the Valley): Lindsey Horvath
CD 5 (East - Valley Village to Lake View Terrace): Kathryn Barger
Los Angeles City (and neighboring cities)
Council Districts
The 15 total councilmembers are the city legislature which works with the executive branch, current mayor Karen Bass.
CD 2 (Valley Village to Sun Valley): Adrin Nazarian
CD 3 (Woodland Hills to Reseda): Bob Blumenfield
CD 4 (Encino to Studio City): Nithya Ramen
CD 6 (Arleta to Lake Balboa): Imelda Padilla
CD 7 (Sylmar to Pacoima): Monica Rodriquez
CD 12 (Chatsworth to Granada Hills to West Hills): John Lee
LAUSD Board Districts
The LAUSD board of directors lead policy and direction for the region’s public school system.
3 (West): Scott Schmerelson
6 (East): Kelly Gonez
4 (South/Hills): Nick Melvoin
Burbank & San Fernando
These are 2 incorporated cities in the Valley. They are not represented in the LA City Council but each have their own 5-person elected councils which appoint a mayor amongst themselves.
Burbank Mayor: Nikki Perez
San Fernando Mayor: Mary Mendoza
Neighborhoods
Neighborhood Councils are the most local form of government and were established relatively recently in 1999. Often you will find representatives from the districts reporting in to these local meetings and what they cover can vary by neighborhood and membership. Below are all the neighborhood councils within the Valley.
Canoga Park
Chatsworth
Encino
Foothills Trails District (Lakeview Terrace)
Granada Hills North
Granada Hills South
Greater Toluca Lake
Greater Valley Glen
Greater Wilshire
Lake Balboa
Mission Hills
North Hills East
North Hills West
NoHo
North Hollywood Northeast
North Hollywood West
Northridge East
Northridge South
Northridge West
Pacoima
Panorama City
Porter Ranch
Reseda
Sherman Oaks
Studio City
Sun Valley Area
Sunland-Tujunga
Sylmar
Tarzana
Valley Village
Van Nuys
Venice
West Hills
Winetka
Woodland Hills-Warner Center
...And Beyond
Governing bodies aren’t the only route to political action. They infact depend on hearing from engaged labor, non-profit, service and community groups to inform their direction (not to mention big donors and lobbyists). But a big part of understanding why the city works the way it does and how to change it starts with knowing your reps.
