West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne was sworn in by Los Angeles County Supervisor 3rd District Lindsey Horvath on Jan. 9. (photo by Jon Viscott)

West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne will run for Rep. Adam Schiff’s (D-Burbank) 30th District congressional seat. Schiff is running for the U.S. Senate and plans to vacate his congressional seat in 2024.

“I’m proud to announce that I’m running for Congress in California’s 30th District,” Shyne said.” I want to fight for an America that is fair and just for everyone, and now more than ever we need a representative who will stand up and fight for the voiceless.”

Shyne has served on the West Hollywood City Council since 2020 and took up the mayoral post last month. Shyne is the first female Iranian American mayor in the state of California, as well as the first LGBTQ+ Iranian mayor in the world. She officially launched her candidacy on Feb. 21, joining a field that also includes former Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer, Los Angeles Unitied School Board member Nick Melvoin, Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank), Joshua Bocanegra, Maebe A. Girl and Ben Savage.

A graduate of San Jose State University, Shyne received her Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University School of Law. Prior to her election to the council, she served on the West Hollywood Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board and continues to serve on the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Advisory Council.

“Mayor Shyne is a trailblazer and her launch signals what many of us have come to know about her: commitment, virtue and hard work,” West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tempore John Erickson said. “She is a labor champion and has for two years taken action in West Hollywood to make our city better, and I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish in the future on behalf of the residents of [California District] 30.”

“I understand firsthand what it means to fight for a safer, stronger future for yourself, your family and your community. It’s a fight I’ve been a part of my entire life, one I’ve fought alongside so many in our community – and it’s a fight that I’m ready to bring to our nation’s capital as our next Congresswoman,” Shyne said. “The 30th District represents so much of the American Dream. It’s where people from all over the nation [and] the world come together to make their hopes and dreams come true – and I’ve dedicated my career to ensuring that every person can access and benefit from the promises America makes. Now, I’m ready to take my dedication to Congress, and to help build a nation that benefits all of us. It’s our time to Shyne.”