Herb Wesson

Herb Wesson
Name	Herb Wesson
Birth date	1951-01-11
Birth place	Cleveland, Ohio
Office	Member of the Los Angeles City Council
Term start	2005
Term end	2022
Predecessor	Mark Ridley-Thomas
Successor	Marqueece Harris-Dawson
Office1	President of the Los Angeles City Council
Term start1	2012
Term end1	2020
Predecessor1	Eric Garcetti
Successor1	Nury Martinez
Party	Democratic Party

Herb Wesson Herb Wesson is an American politician and civic leader who served on the Los Angeles City Council from 2005 to 2022 and as Council President from 2012 to 2020. A figure in California politics and Los Angeles County affairs, he has been involved in municipal budgeting, urban development, and community nonprofits. Wesson's career intersects with prominent figures and institutions in Los Angeles and national municipal networks.

Early life and education

Wesson was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Los Angeles as his family relocated within Cuyahoga County and Los Angeles County. He graduated from California State University, Northridge and completed graduate work at University of Southern California and training programs affiliated with Harvard Kennedy School and the Brookings Institution. His educational background connected him to networks including National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Center for Policy Research, and regional centers like UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

Early career and community involvement

Wesson's early career included roles with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and staff positions linked to municipal and county offices, collaborating with leaders from Los Angeles Unified School District and Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles. He served on nonprofit boards and partnered with civic organizations such as United Way, NAACP, Lutheran Social Services, Urban League, YWCA, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Wesson's community engagement connected him to clergy and neighborhood leaders active in South Los Angeles, Watts, Crenshaw, and Inglewood.

Los Angeles City Council (2005–2022)

Elected to represent Council District 10, Wesson succeeded Mark Ridley-Thomas and participated in council deliberations involving land use, public safety, and municipal finance. During his tenure he interacted with mayors including Antonio Villaraigosa, Eric Garcetti, and Karen Bass, and city departments such as the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Los Angeles Housing Department. He worked with state legislators from California State Assembly and the California State Senate on regional initiatives and coordinated with federal representatives from Los Angeles County in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.

Council Presidency and leadership initiatives

As Council President, Wesson presided over council sessions, committee assignments, and budget negotiations that involved the Los Angeles City Controller, Los Angeles City Attorney, and municipal commissions such as the Planning Commission (Los Angeles) and the Housing and Community Investment Department. He led policy efforts in partnership with civic leaders like Jan Perry, Bernard Parks, Antonio Villaraigosa, and regional stakeholders including Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Los Angeles County), Southern California Association of Governments, and labor unions such as the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Laborers' International Union of North America.

Policy positions and notable legislation

Wesson championed housing and homelessness initiatives, coordinating with agencies such as Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and programs tied to Measure H (Los Angeles County). He supported transit-oriented development linked to projects by Metro (Los Angeles County), Expo Line (Los Angeles Metro), and collaborations with the California High-Speed Rail Authority. His public safety positions intersected with reforms advocated by American Civil Liberties Union and neighborhood groups; he engaged in debates with law enforcement leadership including the Los Angeles Police Protective League. Wesson backed economic development projects involving redevelopment efforts previously overseen by the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles, and he negotiated business improvements with chambers such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce.

Electoral history

Wesson first won a council seat in a special election following the election of Mark Ridley-Thomas to higher office, later winning reelection campaigns in contests featuring challengers active in California politics, Los Angeles County civic life, and local neighborhood councils. His electoral contests engaged endorsements and opposition from figures and institutions including California Democratic Party, Los Angeles Times, California Teachers Association, Service Employees International Union, and local community organizations across South Los Angeles and Central Los Angeles.

Personal life and community affiliations

Wesson is affiliated with religious and civic institutions including local churches and service groups; he has been active with fraternal and service organizations that collaborate with entities such as United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Salvation Army, and cultural institutions like the California African American Museum and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. His family life and community involvement connect him to neighborhood initiatives in Crenshaw, Leimert Park, and broader Los Angeles County civic networks.

Category:Los Angeles City Council members Category:California Democrats Category:People from Cleveland, Ohio Category:African-American politicians