News Summary
East Hollywood Neighborhood Council Vice President Colter Carlisle has announced his candidacy against incumbent council member Hugo Soto-Martínez for the City Council seat. Both candidates live in the same apartment complex, adding an unusual twist to the race. Carlisle, who has voiced concerns about housing issues and tenant displacement, criticizes Soto-Martínez’s support for Senate Bill 79. The election draws attention as the two candidates present differing views on local development and housing policies, crucial to the East Hollywood community.
Los Angeles – East Hollywood Neighborhood Council Vice President Colter Carlisle has declared his candidacy against sitting council member Hugo Soto-Martínez for his City Council seat. Carlisle filed the necessary paperwork on Monday, officially entering the electoral contest. The unique twist in this election is that both candidates reside in the same apartment complex in East Hollywood, with Carlisle living directly below Soto-Martínez.
Carlisle expressed that this situation could lead to “the most awkward moment of my entire life” during future encounters, particularly in shared spaces like their building’s laundry room. He emphasized, however, that his decision to run is unrelated to their proximity, stating that his candidacy has “zero to do” with living next door to Soto-Martínez.
Since joining the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council in 2021, Carlisle has focused on issues affecting local residents and community development. In addition to his council responsibilities, he works in freelance legal sales. His decision to challenge Soto-Martínez is rooted in his concern over housing issues, particularly the displacement of long-term residents due to city development projects. Carlisle criticizes the city’s tenant displacement payouts as being inadequate and is particularly opposed to Soto-Martínez’s backing of Senate Bill 79. The bill would allow for increased density in housing developments near transit stops by overriding local zoning laws.
One contentious project that Carlisle is actively criticizing is an eight-story apartment building planned for Carlton Way. This development would require the demolition of several rent-stabilized units to create 131 new apartments, including some designated as low-income housing. In response to complaints about the Carlton Way project, Soto-Martínez’s office indicated that they had worked closely with tenants and asserted that the development meets affordability guidelines.
Soto-Martínez, who has previously served as a union organizer, won his council seat in 2022 by ousting an incumbent with a total of 38,069 votes. His election strengthened the left faction of the council and brought representation to areas including Silver Lake, Echo Park, Atwater Village, and Hollywood. He has garnered substantial support from local labor unions and the Democratic Socialists of America.
Regarding Senate Bill 79, Soto-Martínez clarified that while he did not officially endorse the bill, he voted against a resolution that opposed it. The council member highlighted that renters make up over 60% of the city’s population and emphasized the importance of including their voices in the decision-making process. His initiatives include efforts to impose caps on rent increases aimed at improving tenant protections.
In the broader context of local governance, Councilmember Tim McOsker is currently the only incumbent running unopposed in the upcoming election. Other relevant topics in the community include a sexual abuse settlement involving Los Angeles County and scrutiny surrounding Senate Bill 79. There is also discussion regarding a housing slump affecting apartment construction in Los Angeles, alongside considerations for an hourly wage increase for private sector construction workers.
As the election race heats up, the East Hollywood community will be closely watching the developments between Carlisle and Soto-Martínez, particularly how their differing perspectives on housing and local development will resonate with voters.
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Additional Resources
- Patch: East Hollywood Neighborhood Council Election Certified
- The Eastsider LA: Poor Participation, Voting Hurdles Plague East Hollywood Election
- Los Angeles Times: Progressive Candidates TAKE on City Council Incumbents
- Google Search: Los Angeles City Council
- Daily News: LA City Officials Unveil Apartments in East Hollywood for Homeless Seniors
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
