The Coalition for Economic Survival (CES) announced that it is endorsing Mayor Pro Temp John Heilman and former City Council Member Lindsey Horvath for the West Hollywood City Council.

CES, the main organization responsible for the incorporation of the City of West Hollywood and the adoption of the city's rent control law, stated that "there is no doubt that John Heilman and Lindsey Horvath are the best qualified candidates and can be counted on to protect rent control in West Hollywood."

CES Executive Director Larry Gross said, "Some may say that rent control is no longer an issue in West Hollywood. But, as long as the City Council has the power to amend or eliminate the law, renters need to be vigilant in protecting it. Each election poses a potential major threat to rent control based on who gets elected. We must ensure the people who are elected are people we can trust and are fully committed to maintaining a strong rent control law and upholding tenants' rights."

John Heilman has been a longtime CES member and actively participated in CES' effort to incorporate West Hollywood. Heilman was part of the original CES Renters' Rights slate in the first West Hollywood election in 1984, which captured 4 out of the 5 City Council seats. Heilman has had CES' support in each of the elections he has run in and has been re-elected.

"John Heilman has a proven record on rent control, tenants' rights and affordable housing. He was the lead Councilmember responsible for the adoption of West Hollywood's Rent Stabilization and Inclusionary Housing Ordinances, as well as the establishment of the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, charged with producing affordable housing in the city", Gross stated.

"Heilman has been unwavering in his support of tenants' rights while on the Council. This was best represented by his, along with retiring Councilmember Abbe Land, refusal to go along with his Council colleagues in capitulating and rewarding notorious landlord Jerome Nash with an exemption to the Ellis Act after he evicted all the tenants in his 32-unit building. To protect rent control and ensure tenants' rights, John Heilman must be re-elected," Gross concluded.

CES believes Lindsey Horvath would provide an important vote in support of rent control, tenants' rights and affordable housing on the West Hollywood City Council. With Abbe Land's retirement, Horvath's election would ensure the voice of a progressive woman on the Council. She has been a proven leader in the community, having served on the Council, on the Women's Advisory Board, and currently as a Transportation Commissioner.

In her previous stint on the Council, Horvath established herself as a strong advocate on behalf of renters. She worked to provide more affordable rental units, voting to stop the demolition of 26 rent-controlled units, initiating a Rent Stabilization Outreach Plan, putting forth a Renters' Bill of Rights to educate residents, helping pass the policy to ensure that low-income residents have access to all building amenities and creating habitability standards for "accessory dwellings," like "granny flats."

Gross stated that, "With Horvath on the Council, West Hollywood renters would be comforted by the fact that they will have another advocate fighting for their rights and protecting their rent controlled units."

CES is strongly urging West Hollywood voters to cast their ballots on Tuesday, March 3rd for John Heilman and Lindsey Horvath - CES' Renters' Rights Team!