Danny Hang was sworn in as a West Hollywood councilman on Dec. 16. (photo by John Viscott)

West Hollywood Councilman Danny Hang is breaking barriers. He is the first Asian individual to ever be elected to the council – and, it should be noted, he is also the first Danny to make it to the dais after over a decade of every male member being named John.

“As much as I love the name John – I know a lot of good Johns, John Erickson, John Heilman, they’re all great Johns – but it’s refreshing to have a Danny on the City Council,” Hang said. “Most certainly, I feel very blessed and feel very honored to bring AAPI representation to our City Council, because to me, one of the important aspects of my campaign is inclusivity and diversity, and I think that’s what our community embodies, and our council should reflect that as well.”

Hang was elected alongside Mayor John Erickson. The two ran as a joint ticket in a field of nine candidates, similar to how Erickson ran with former Councilwoman Sepi Shyne in 2020. But Hang said that he is not a replacement for Shyne.

“My name is not Sepi Shyne. My name is not John Erickson. My name is not Chelsea Byers. My name is Danny. I am my own person, with my own opinions, with my own values and with my own vision for the city. I’m always going to be making an independent vote according to my principles and my values that I feel will benefit the community. I’m no one’s yes vote,” he said.

Hang said that he sees qualities in each of his council colleagues that he would like to emulate. He cited Vice Mayor Chelsea Byers’ leadership skills, Erickson’s drive and Councilwoman Lauren Meister’s ability to be thorough and ask tough questions. Hang noted that Councilman John Heilman was one of West Hollywood’s founders.

“He knows West Hollywood more than probably most, if not everybody, on the council. He has such a wealth of information and history in him that I’m hoping he’s willing to teach me some of in the next couple years,” Hang said.

He cited building new housing and helping to alleviate the homelessness crisis as chief among his goals.

“I want to, with my colleagues, take a look at our city, rezone large parts of our city to supercharge housing development. That’s the only way we’re going to meet our regional housing needs assessment numbers assigned to us by the state. And that will build more affordable units, because of our inclusionary housing. And that’ll give people the opportunity who want to live in West Hollywood to live in West Hollywood. It’ll allow workers to live near where they work,” he said.

He also noted that the West Hollywood community’s larger divisions need to be addressed, particularly between the chamber of commerce and the City Council.

“That’s my vision for the next four years, during my term, to work together to heal the divisions in the city, and most importantly, to listen to everyone. You have to be able to listen to all sides, because without all the information, a council member might not be able to make the right informed decision,” he said.

Hang emphasized his and Erickson’s election wins as a victory for workers’ rights. West Hollywood also passed an initiative that codified the city’s minimum wage – the highest in the country – and leaves it up to the voters to make future alterations to the rate.

“It’s very important that workers are paid a fair and equitable wage with paid time off,” he said. “And I think this past election was a testament that the initiative passed, and voters feel that workers’ rights are important for that in our city. I intend to uphold that and carry that through.”

Likewise, Hang sees the city’s renters as the fabric of the community.

“I’m a renter. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to buy a home. That’s what our city was founded on – renters and people that are marginalized within their community,” he said. “To me, it’s all about service and giving back to the community, and I plan to do my best to be a good servant leader.”

As for Hang’s favorite place in the city he now helps lead? That would be the Sunset Plaza restaurant, Le Petit Four.

“I go there with my family at least twice a month. That’s just where our family goes to have dinner in West Hollywood. The service is great. The owners are very friendly, and the food is amazing,” he said.

Byers will be sworn in as West Hollywood’s new mayor on Monday, Jan. 13, alongside Heilman as vice mayor. After the ceremony, the next regular meeting for the City Council will be held on Jan. 21.