Councilman Mitch O’Farrell (photo courtesy of the 13th District council office)

The Los Angeles City Council on Sept. 28 elected Councilman Mitch O’Farrell as president pro tempore, replacing Councilman Joe Buscaino, who is running for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022.

Council President Nury Martinez, 6th District, introduced a motion on Sept. 21 calling for Buscaino to step down as president pro tempore and to be replaced by O’Farrell, 13th District. Before the council voted on the measure, Buscaino agreed to vacate his leadership position because of his mayoral campaign.

Buscaino will remain on the City Council representing the 15th District. O’Farrell will become council president pro tempore on Oct. 1.

“I am grateful and honored to have earned the confidence of my colleagues to serve as the president pro tempore of the Los Angeles City Council,” O’Farrell said. “I especially want to thank Council President Nury Martinez for her vision and leadership in the face of the unprecedented challenges of the last 19 months. This council has boldly responded to COVID-19 by advancing the nation’s strongest eviction moratorium, the nation’s largest municipal rental relief program, hero pay for grocery workers and any number of innovative protections to help Los Angeles persevere through the toughest of times.”

O’Farrell also said his focus will remain on constituents of his district and all residents of Los Angeles.

“My involvement in public service began as a local neighborhood volunteer, fighting for resources and services that were lacking in my Glassell Park neighborhood. It’s a perspective that informs my approach to governing and setting policy,” O’Farrell added. “I’ve brought these experiences with me to work every step of the way in local government, as a staffer, as a council member, and I’ll do the same as president pro tempore. We need to continually demand more from City Hall, and from ourselves.”

O’Farrell will be the first Native American to serve in the council leadership position.

“I’m a gay man who grew up in a working-class household and am Los Angeles’ first Native American city council member, and now, our first Native American president pro tempore,” he said. “It’s been a long journey from there to here, but my life experience has taught me that enormous odds can be overcome through passion and persistence. To every Angeleno who is struggling or looking for more from City Hall, we are here to help. I am here to help, and I am at your service to ensure that we collectively and fearlessly address the many challenges facing our great city.”