Welcome
Hello and Welcome to the Imelda Padilla for Los Angeles City Council District Six page.
I am a lifelong resident of the Valley, born in Van Nuys and raised in Sun Valley by a father who dedicated himself to gardening and a mother who worked in manufacturing for over 30 years.
I am a proud alumnus of local LAUSD schools, Roscoe Elementary, Byrd Middle School and Polytechnic High School. I then graduated from UC Berkeley as an undergrad and Cal State Northridge for my masters.
My family values, academic formation, and personal experiences inspire my commitment to improving the quality of life for everyone in my community. The challenges I encountered, as a special needs child with rickets, a calcium bone deficiency, motivated me to fight for my neighborhood’s right to happiness, safety, inclusion, and economic empowerment.
I have tirelessly dedicated my professional career as a community-organizer to ensuring that the communities of the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles have access to services and resources they so desperately need and deserve. As a coalition builder, I collaborated with elected officials, non-profit organizers, small-business leaders, religious leaders, and private sector partners to invest in positive regional outcomes. I will continue to be a coalition builder to fight tirelessly for all the residents of CD6 in City Hall. Many candidates will promise much, but I am someone with a proven record of working on policy that helps improve the lives of everyone.
I am running because all the residents of Council District 6 deserve to feel safe in their communities. Through inclusive leadership and thoughtful policy development, families across the district will regain confidence in local government.
Today, our community is left without a representative due to the short sighted horrific racist remarks we heard come from multiple City Councilmembers. These remarks do not reflect our shared values on race, religion, and identity. Together we can heal this dark cloud that was cast over council-district six and Los Angeles as a whole. I am ready to lead us in this collective healing.
Now I ask that we work together, by electing me as council member to represent our communities’ of Arleta, Lake Balboa, North Hills East, North Hollywood East, Panorama City, Sun Valley and Van Nuys, in hopes to take our true values to City Hall.
When you see Imelda Padilla on the ballot on Tuesday, April 4th I hope you see more than a name, but are reminded of times we have worked together advocating for our community!
I hope to earn your vote!
Best,
Imelda Padilla

Pledge
I, Imelda Padilla, pledge to the constituents of Council District Six and the residents of Los Angeles that if granted the opportunity to serve them, I will restore public integrity in local governance and earn the trust of the people of our district. I will strive to be:
Intentional: to use the following guiding principles in my decision-making process; accessibility, transparency and will make decisions based on community input and data.
Intergenerational: In all my policy decisions, from housing to air pollution and neighborhood safety, I will consider the present impact on the welfare of youth, families, and seniors while proactively identifying the implications those decisions may have in the future.
Intergovernmental: I pledge to be a coalition builder by collaborating with all agencies and organizations, from the federal government to neighborhood councils.
I often hear the community’s disappointment towards government institutions is due to the lack of actionable accountability between agencies and city departments. Under my leadership, the people of council district 6 will have an advocate who prioritizes their needs by holding all City of LA departments accountable. In addition, I will be responsible for finding solutions to issues while engaging agencies within the County of Los Angeles, the State of California, and the Federal Government to solve problems together.
Press & Media
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En Español
Articles & Interviews
- Meet the District 6 candidates: Imelda Padilla
- Column: Whose San Fernando Valley will win? These two women seek to replace Nury Martinez
- Imelda Padilla Statement on April 4 Election Results Certification
- Sheila Kuehl Endorses Imelda Padilla for LA City Council
- Imelda Padilla Statement on Early Voting Results
- Imelda Padilla for LA City Council Endorsed by former LAUSD Board Member David Tokofsky
- Central City Association of Los Angeles Endorses Imelda Padilla for LA City Council
- L.A.'s Longest Serving Councilmember Joy Picus Endorses Imelda Padilla
- Imelda Padilla for Los Angeles City Council Is Endorsed by David Vela President of Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees
- ILWU Southern California District Council Endorses Imelda Padilla for Los Angeles City Council
- One of LA’s Largest Labor Unions SEIU-USWW Endorses Imelda Padilla for Los Angeles City Council
- Imelda Padilla For Los Angeles City Council Is Endorsed by the East Area Progressive Democrats
- Interview with Telemundo
- U.S. Congressman Tony Cárdenas Endorses Imelda Padilla for LA City Council
- Valley Community Leaders Rally in Support of Imelda Padilla for Los Angeles City Council
- International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 13 Endorses Imelda Padilla for Los Angeles City Council
- Imelda Padilla Is First Candidate to Qualify for Matching Funds, Raising Over $100,000 in Upcoming Special Election for LA City Council
- Former Valley School Board Member Julie Korenstein Endorses Imelda Padilla for Los Angeles City Council
- Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez Endorses Imelda Padilla for LA City Council
- School Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III Endorses Imelda Padilla for LA City Council
- School Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas Endorses Imelda Padilla for LA City Council
- Imelda Padilla for City Council is Endorsed by Valley School Board Member Scott Schmerelson
- Los Angeles City Council Candidate Imelda Padilla is Endorsed by Laborers Local 300 Union
- Speaker Anthony Rendon Endorses Imelda Padilla for LA City Council
- Assemblywoman Luz Rivas Endorses Imelda Padilla for LA City Council
- La Opinión Endorses Imelda Padilla for LA City Council
- Teamsters Joint Council 42 Endorses Imelda Padilla for LA City Council
- Column: Whose San Fernando Valley will win? These two women seek to replace Nury Martinez
- Meet the District 6 candidates: Imelda Padilla
- Editorial: La Opinión apoya a Imelda Padilla para concejal de la Ciudad de Los Ángeles
Platform & Priorities
Imelda’s vision for Los Angeles’ Council District Six is to be a regional leader by implementing inclusive economic, social, and environmental policies.
When we come together, Los Angeles thrives.
Top Issues:
The disproportionate impact that Council District Six faces with the unsheltered crisis is a critical issue that the City Council must address holistically. As councilwoman, I plan to address the unintended consequences of municipal code 85.02, which pushed RV’s into our industrial corridors causing a lack of parking for businesses owners, customers and workers. It is incredibly unacceptable that we have allowed as a city for these individuals to park and live in the regions with the worst air-quality, we need to do better.
The district is filled with encampments looming throughout, and yet our housing departments are doing very little to make a visible impact.
I will prioritize implementing an immediate solution to the unhoused crisis because what is currently occurring is not working.
I will propose an emergency remediation of encampments, connecting the unhoused population to essential services that will support them in finding housing, employment, and health services.
I will work cohesively with all stakeholders, residents, non-profits organizations, religious leaders, business owners and health organizations to develop and implement sensible hyper-local solutions that make our communities safer, sanitary, and sustainable.
In addition to helping service organizations find more beds and resources to increase their capacities to help and support the unhoused, I will also make sure that any new housing opportunities increase our affordable housing options. My goal is that local-homeless individuals and families can stay regional to their family-support networks instead of pushed out miles away from the streets and areas they call home.
The future of the Los Angeles Police Department and our public safety goals should include a preventative model rather than a reactive model that sends too many to prison. As someone who comes from a family that has been impacted by the school-to-prison pipeline, this is incredibly personal for me.
Individuals facing adversity need resources that inspire them into more productive members of society if given a second chance and opportunities to thrive, especially if one comes from a background of trauma that still needs healing. The community has not been there with resources to help our vulnerable individuals, but I truly think our public-safety officers can be a partner to change that culture if we work together.
Residents of all ages should feel safe in their homes, communities, and local shops. As your representative, I will work with the local Police Captains to ensure they have the resources they need to increase public safety, emergency response times, while simultaneously working with the department to identify innovative community-centric models of policing.
I will also work with the local leaders, subject-matter experts, and advocates to find innovative ways in responding to 911 that are better suited for mental health professionals. Currently, some police stations are working on pilot programs where they partner with social enterprises to help individuals calling 911 for mental health support. These types of community-based programs are what I would like to expand for the residents of council district six.
Countless entrepreneurs shared that the City of Los Angeles makes it very difficult to start a business and thus generate jobs. My goal is to support innovation and all entrepreneurs interested in investing in the region. As a creative city, I welcome diverse business opportunities that provide a positive economic impact to the district.
Council District six has so many opportunities to bring good quality jobs for future generations. Well paying green jobs should be filling our industrial buildings, which many sit vacant after the pandemic. Also, we need to support small shop owners so they can be competitive.
City Hall needs to end this culture of reactionary policy rather than create more business opportunities. We must foster a business environment that gives opportunity to all entrepreneurs. It’s time City Hall leaders work on creating policy and programs that assist new innovative ideas instead of stalling it. I am looking forward to working with entrepreneurs who envision success in this community.
The best way to address the quality of life issues in our neighborhoods is by prioritizing projects that will best serve the community at large. As development projects are built within the district, they must serve for the betterment of our neighborhoods with proper analysis from planning and community input.
Two major transportation projects are scheduled to come into council district six, Van Nuys Corridor Light-Rail and the California High Speed Rail in Sun Valley. I will make sure that these developments do not displace residents but instead increase our quality of life with amenities that our families, seniors, youth and adults will enjoy!
We need to continue the work of fixing sidewalks and adding ramps for ADA usages, we must work with the Department of Water and Power to continue investing in water-saving infrastructure and making the Sun Valley generating plant a place that produces energy through greener technologies.
I believe that the City of Los Angeles can ensure equitable and sustainable development. We can fix our sidewalks, make them safe for children who walk to school, seniors who need to get around our neighborhoods, more public transit, green space and high speed internet in public spaces.
I grew up attending our local parks and still use them today. Since the pandemic, park directors are facing challenges finding coaches to program sports, forced to cut watering usage due to the drought, and having insufficient staff to manage the parks within the regions. It is my goal to help our parks have all the resources they need to be properly programmed, funded, manicured, and properly patrolled so that neighbors feel safe from dusk to dawn.
Our libraries are the most underrated amenity in our community. We must increase the accessibility of our library programs, resources, and services. The support they offer our youth, seniors, and residents are essential.
I want to increase the hours of operation so that all families have access to wifi, internet and academic resources. As the new generation begins to close the digital divide, we must remember that the library is a collective space to help make that happen.
Growing up I was part of the Los Angeles City Council Youth Commission, it was one of the best experiences of my youth. However, the program did not survive past 2007. Today the opportunities available to our youth are scattered and vary by council district. When I am on councilI I will work to bring more opportunities to the district by funding recreational programs at parks, and literacy and homework help at our libraries.
In addition, I will work with our local nonprofits to support seasonal jobs for youth so that they too can be part of helping their families thrive. We can hire youth to do work on things like community clean ups, internships with the City, and so much more. In short, it will be my priority to invest in our future generations.
Endorsements
Editorial Boards:
- La Opinión
Labor Unions:
- United Firefighters of LA City, Local 112
- International Longshore and Warehouse Union – Southern California District Council
- International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 13
- Laborers Local Union Local 300
- Service Employees International Union- United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW)
- Service Employees International Union – Home Care Workers 2015
- Service Employees International Union – RN 121
- Teamsters Joint Council 42
- UA – Plumbers and Fitters Local 761
- Comment start United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF- Local 12 (UFLAC)
Democratic Clubs
- East Area Progressive Democrats
- Democrats for the Protection of Animals
- Comment start Stonewall Democratic Club
Federal, State, Local Elected Leaders
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- U.S. Congressman Tony Cardenas (D-CA-29)
- Los Angeles City Council Member Monica Rodriguez, District 7
- City of San Fernando Mayor Celeste Rodriguez
- City of Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian
City of San Fernando Mayor Celeste Rodriguez
- California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, 62nd Assembly District
- California Assembly Member Luz Rivas, 39th Assembly District
- Former Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, District 3
- Former Los Angeles City Council Member Joy Picus, District 3
- California State Treasurer Fiona Ma
Education Leaders:
- Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees- David Vela
- Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Member Scott Schmerelson
- Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Member Rocío Rivas
- Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III
- Former Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Member Julie Korenstein
- Former Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Member David Tokosfky
Business Community
- Central City Association of Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
- BizFed
Community Organizations
- Latinas Lead California
- Armenian Rights Council of America
- National Women’s Political Caucus – San Fernando Valley
Valley Community Leaders:
- Comment start Former candidate for Los Angeles City Council District 6, Rose Grigoryan
- Ana De Jesus – Community Leader, Sun Valley
- Ana Valentino – Community Leader, Arleta
- Aaron Paley – President, Community Arts Resources
- Alonzo Arelleno – Business Leader, Sun Valley
- Blanca Sanchez – Community Leader, Arleta
- Betty Ley – Community Police Advisory Board, Mission Division
- Coby King – Founder of Valley Economic Alliance
- Cruz Orozco – Educator in Council District 6
- Dallas Fowler – Democratic Leader
- David Rodriguez – Environmental Justice Leader
- Greg Martaryan – Community Leader
- Hans Johnson – LGBTQ+ & Democratic Leader
- Ismael Maldonado – Special Needs Community Advocate
- Irene Tovar – California State University Northridge, Alumni Association
- John Hernandez – Business Leader
- Jorge Montijo- Educator at Panorama High School
- Manny Velasquez – East Valley Muralist
- Margarita Diaz – Community Leader, North Hills East
- Maritza Monterosa – Community Leader, Panorama City
- Mario Matute – Healthcare leader
- Mayra Todd – Domestic Violence Advocate
- Maynor Sandoval – Local Business Owner and Central American Community Leader
- Misha Martin – Educator in Sun Valley, resident Van Nuys
- Nayda Cantabara – Girl Scout East Valley Regional Leader
- Rafael Gonzalez – Faith-Based Organizer
- Rosemary Jenkins – Democratic Leader and Retired Educator
- Raul Sandoval – Grupo Promotor de Emiliano Zapata
- Richard Ramos – Educator
- Rose Grigoryan
- Sara Mena – Local Business Owner and Central American Community Leader
- Saul Mejia – Business Community Advocate
- Severiana Pablo – Community Leader, Panorama City
- Veronica Arreguin – Sun Valley Resident and Educator
Timeline
A Journey in
my Community
















In 2003 Imelda Padilla got her first job as a receptionist at Marco Chiropratic Center.

In 2004, Imelda Padilla got her second job at Property ID as an intern for the Accounting Department.





Upon returning from college, Imelda Padilla joined the Sun Valley Area Neighborhood Council and was an active member of the Land Use Committee.







In 2017, Imelda Padilla joined the Los Angeles Valley College Foundation Board




