Los Angeles's 7th City Council district is one of the fifteen districts in the Los Angeles City Council. It is currently represented by DemocratMonica Rodriguez since 2017 after winning an election to succeed Felipe Fuentes, who resigned the year prior.
The district was created in 1925 after a new city charter was passed, which replaced the former "at large" voting system for a nine-member council with a district system with a 15-member council. At its creation, the 7th district was situated south of Downtown Los Angeles. It was moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1956.[1]
At its creation, it was bounded on the north by Jefferson Boulevard, on the south by Slauson Boulevard, on the west by Vermont Avenue and on the east by South Park Avenue.[3][4] In 1928, it expanded to include Exposition Park and Vermont Square.[5] In 1933, it was bounded on the east by Alameda Avenue, on the west by Crenshaw Boulevard, on the north by Exposition Boulevard and on the south by Vernon Avenue.[6][7] By 1937, it was bounded on the west by Crenshaw Boulevard, on the north by Exposition Boulevard, on the east by the city boundary with Vernon and on the south by Vernon Avenue.[8][9]
By 1947, it was noted that nearly 50% of the district's population was African-American. In 1956, after incumbent councilman Don A. Allen's election to the California State Assembly, the City Council decided that the district would be moved to the San Fernando Valley.[1] In 1961, it included the neighborhoods of Van Nuys, Sepulveda, Granada Hills and Sylmar.[10] In 1986, it included Panorama City, part of Sun Valley and Sylmar.[11] By 1993, it had a population that consisted of 70% Latinos and 19% African-Americans council that covered "much of the northeast Valley", encompassing "one of Los Angeles's poorest areas" and containing "the shuttered General Motors plant in Van Nuys as well as Blythe Street in Panorama City, one of the Valley's most drug-infested areas until a police crackdown."[12]
Elected in 1947. Re-elected in 1949. Re-elected in 1951. Re-elected in 1953. Re-elected in 1955. Resigned when elected to the California State Assembly.
Elected to finish Corman's term. Re-elected in 1965. Re-elected in 1969. Re-elected in 1973. Re-elected in 1977. Re-elected in 1981. Re-elected in 1985. Re-elected in 1989. Re-elected in 1993. Retired to run for Mayor of Los Angeles.
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