The race for the Los Angeles City Council seat in the West San Fernando Valley's Third District has become a clear contest between business interests and organized labor, pitting a former small business owner against a career public-sector staffer.
Tim Gaspar, 44, a former insurance agency owner who sold his business in 2021, led the June primary with 46.1% of the vote. He is campaigning full-time for the council seat and has secured endorsements from the Los Angeles Police Protective League and termed-out Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who also backed Christopher Celona, the third-place primary finisher. Gaspar advocates for a stronger business perspective on the City Council, arguing that his experience can offer a crucial counterbalance to those primarily rooted in public policy or community organizing.
Barri Worth Girvan, 43, a close second in the primary with 42.5% of the vote, offers a contrasting profile. As the director of community affairs for Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath, and having previously served on the staffs of former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and ex-State Senator Bob Hertzberg, she emphasizes her extensive public sector experience. Worth Girvan asserts that this background uniquely positions her to navigate City Hall effectively and address constituent concerns regarding essential city services, such as trash collection, tree trimming, and emergency response.
Financially, Gaspar holds a significant advantage, reporting over $180,000 in runoff campaign donations by June 30, compared to Worth Girvan's approximately $31,000. During the primary, independent expenditure committees, funded by entities including Airbnb, Uber, the California Apartment Association, the LAPD Protective League, and IBEW Local 18, spent $1.39 million, largely in support of candidates like Gaspar. Worth Girvan's campaign noted that despite being "massively outspent," the primary results indicated strong voter support, which she anticipates will broaden in the general election.
The candidates also diverge on housing policy. Worth Girvan supports increased housing development, particularly near transit lines, to address affordability issues. Gaspar, however, believes District 3 is already contributing to new housing in areas like Warner Center and expresses skepticism about increasing density in single-family neighborhoods. He opposes rent control and certain tenant protections, and has stated a "zero tolerance policy" for homeless encampments, while both candidates prioritize public safety and support expanding the LAPD.
