Mayor John Erickson, left, and Danny Hang are the apparent winners in the West Hollywood City Council election. (photos courtesy of John Erickson, Danny Hang)

It is all-but-certain Mayor John Erickson will be returning to the West Hollywood City Council, as of the initial vote tallies on Nov. 6. Additionally, business license commissioner Danny Hang has won out against the other seven council candidates for the second of two available seats. As of press time, Erickson had 27.75% of the vote, while Hang had 20.81%.

“I want to thank the city of West Hollywood and our amazing residents who overwhelmingly voted me in for another term,” Erickson said. “And I’m incredibly grateful to everyone that signed up to volunteer, every person I called and knocked the door of, and most importantly, to our incredible community, which stood for progressive values and the future, and not taking us back to the past.”

“I love this city,” Hang said. “I’m grateful to the voters for placing their trust in me and am committed to making West Hollywood an even better place to live, work and play.”

Running roughly 6% and over 1,500 votes behind was small business owner Larry Block.

“[I] had lots of fun – [it] was a great campaign,” Block said. “The campaign shows how broken and ineffective the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is.”

The chamber-aligned PAC WeHo for the People had endorsed public safety commissioner George Nickle, who is currently in fourth place, and former rent stabilization commissioner Zekiah Wright, who is in fifth place. Stefanie LaHart, Jordan Cockeram, Rachel Schmeidler – who had suspended her campaign, Dorian Jackson and West Seegmiller followed in the vote tallies.

“I’m incredibly proud of the turnout in this election and the number of dedicated candidates who stepped up to run,” LaHart said. “What I’ve learned from talking with my neighbors and engaging with our community is that we are a city of people who genuinely care about making West Hollywood the best it can be. Our residents are invested, passionate and ready to work together toward positive change, and that commitment is inspiring. I look forward to continuing to support our community and working alongside those who share a vision for a stronger, more vibrant West Hollywood.”

“I want to thank everyone that ran, who stepped up to be a voice in the community,” Erickson said. “And I appreciate them all saying at a time when our country is in peril that they want to put their names on the ballot. It takes a lot to run for public office, and I’m thankful to everyone that lent their voice in this campaign season.”

Vice Mayor Chelsea Byers, who will likely assume the mayorship in January, congratulated the apparent winners.

“Danny Hang is an incredible leader and I look forward to working with him and our reelected Mayor John Erickson to do the most we can to ensure West Hollywood continues to be a beacon of hope, safety and opportunity,” Byers said.

“I congratulate the two top vote getters and hope we can find some common ground as we move forward,” Councilwoman Lauren Meister said.