Serena Oberstein, a nonprofit executive and former president of the L.A. City Ethics Commission, announced her candidacy Monday for the City Council’s 12th District, which covers portions of north, northeast San Fernando Valley.
Oberstein, who describes herself as a second generation Angeleno who grew up and is now raising a family in the north SFV, said in a statement that she has the support of more than 40 local community leaders. She will be running against incumbent John Lee.
“I have spent my career creating policies that give everyone a chance to succeed. Our city continues to face a crisis of conscience — given the deeply concerning allegations against our council member, our neighbors are demanding more,” Oberstein said in a statement.
“As someone who has spent my career finding tangible solutions to better our community and as past president of the L.A. City Ethics Commission, I am uniquely prepared to succeed where our council member has failed,” she added.
According to Oberstein, her candidacy received support from members of the Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council; Renay Grace Rodriguez, who is the treasurer of the Chatsworth Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce; and SFV Young Democrats president emeritus Michael Menjivar, among others.
Oberstein attended public school in the SFV through high school. Both her parents were Los Angeles Unified School District teachers for about 30 years.
She also serves as the executive director of Jewish World Watch, and previously served as the chief operating officer for Vision to Learn.