This story has been updated to reflect additional candidate responses.
The candidates running for three Beverly Hills City Council seats are nearing the end of their campaigns. Many are hosting events and talking to voters to make their final pitch before Election Day on June 2.
The Courier reached out to the candidates during this final week to hear about last-minute events and their impressions of how the race has gone in the crowded field of 11 candidates. Their comments are presented in alphabetical order, with the exception of the newly-added response from candidate Ariel Rofeim.
Attorney Ariel Rofeim told the Courier that he plans to continue meeting voters in the final days leading up to Election Day through face-to-face interactions such as neighborhood walks, community gatherings and outreach events.
In an email, he emphasized that a highlight of his campaign has been reconnecting with the community where he spent much of his youth.
“It has truly been a privilege hearing from residents across every part of Beverly Hills,” he said. “I’ve now had the opportunity to go beyond the veil and learn about the issues most important to our community. From longtime homeowners to renters, small business owners, parents, seniors and young professionals, I’ve been inspired by how deeply people care about this city, just as I do.”
Noting that he feels “grateful and encouraged” heading into the polls, Rofeim said he believes that voters are looking for a “new generation of leadership.”
“Beverly Hills is worth protecting, improving, and fighting for … This city gave me extraordinary opportunities, from Beverly Hills schools to public service opportunities that eventually led me to the White House and a career as an attorney,” he said. “I’m running because I want the next generation to have those same opportunities in a city that remains safe, vibrant and united,” he said.
Barry Axelrod, owner of Beverly Hills Cookies, will host a campaign event on May 31 at his shop on South Beverly Drive.
“I’ll be available to talk to the residents, business owners, to answer their questions about why I’m here, why I’m doing what I’m doing, because I am definitely not a politician,” he said. “I don’t even want to be a politician, but [I’m running] as a resident and as somebody who would like to see the city go back to the way it used to be in the early days.”
Axelrod said he hopes to bring more business and money to South Beverly Drive, and to work to change high taxes on small businesses and the length of time it takes to get certain licenses.
As for his chances on June 2, Axelrod noted that he is a newcomer in this field of politicians, many of whom are better known in the community, but that he has “gotten very good feedback … I had to earn the reputation I have right now.”
Incumbent Lester Friedman, who is running for his third and final term, said he is feeling “upbeat” and that much of his work over the next few days will involve following up with residents and encouraging them to cast their ballot.
“At this point in time, it’s really just making sure that people get out to vote,” he said. “They have three votes. I want to make sure that they can exercise those votes and ask that one of those votes be for me.”
Friedman, who recently posted on social media that he received endorsements from Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang, California State Senator Ben Allen and Beverly Hills City Treasurer Howard Fisher, said he plans to host an election party, but that he’s “not done campaigning yet.”
Writer and consultant Andrew Kole espoused several key messages throughout his campaign: moving the Farmers’ Market to South Beverly Drive, pursuing naming rights for South Beverly Drive and creating a committee or commission to produce events and seek new streams of revenue.
“I think I’m considered the outside of the box guy,” he said. Kole does not have any campaign events planned leading up to election day.
Cultural Heritage Commissioner Andy Licht held a campaign event at The Nosh hosted by Avid and Joe Shooshani on May 28. The turnout of 43 people exceeded expectations, as Licht told the Courier he was “hoping for 10.” Licht will speak at two temples over the weekend.
“The rest of the time is walking up and down streets, knocking on doors,” he said.
Licht, who recently posted a video endorsement from actor and comedian Howie Mandel, noted that one candidate has been running a more negative campaign, including posting unverifiable claims, which Licht feels is a style of campaigning that is “not for Beverly Hills.”
“Stuff like that bothers me,” he said. “I just think Beverly Hills deserves honest, transparent leadership, and look, the election is about the future of the city, public safety, thoughtful development, protecting our neighborhoods, and preserving the character. I’m going to keep running a campaign based on honesty, accountability, and respect.”
Sharona Nazarian, also an incumbent who recently completed her first term as mayor, plans to host events nearly every day leading up to June 2.
“We want to get everybody excited about the election and mobilized to vote,” she said. “It’s exciting, there’s a lot happening.”
Nazarian, who recently received the endorsement of developer Rick Caruso, added, “I have learned that you don’t count your chickens before they hatch. I am working just as hard as I did on day one. I don’t take anything for granted.”
Architectural and Design Review Commission Chair Rebecca Pynoos this week announced several new endorsements, including Congressman Ted Lieu, whose district includes Beverly Hills. Pynoos also held a successful event in the South Beverly Hills neighborhood.
Pynoos was the target of online attacks over the weekend by a right-wing social media user, and she posted a video response on Instagram. In a statement to the Courier, Pynoos reiterated her commitment to running a “positive, energized campaign.”
“I am ready to do the hard work, bring people together, and deliver results from day one,” she said.
Beverly Hills Unified School District Board Member Russell Stuart told the Courier that he is not planning any events because he has run a “really lean campaign.”
“I spent more time speaking to people, and speaking to business owners, and speaking to families,” said Stuart, who recently announced that he received the endorsement of the Log Cabin Republicans. “One of the biggest things I’ve learned is how similarly most people think. We want to have a great city.”
Literary executive Roger Tanenbaum will hold an election night party that will be open to all residents, and said that his goal was and remains to speak to residents and find out what they want to see in government.
“I’m continuing to do my campaign how I have been, which is going out to the people,” he said. “I’ve knocked on pretty much every door in the city … and I’m really trying to reach out to people in the city who aren’t the ones we see at all the events. My game plan was the same from day one.”
Tanenbaum added that he feels confident he has executed his campaign as intended and will continue to listen to residents “if I’m able to have the honor and privilege to serve.”
Candidates Clayton Moshe Saunders and Jonathan Moriande did not respond to the Courier’s request for comment.
In-person voting in Beverly Hills began on May 23 at the City Hall Municipal Gallery. Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On June 2, Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Two additional vote centers will open at Roxbury Park Community Center and La Cienega Tennis Center on May 30 with the same hours.
Vote-by-mail drop boxes have been placed at Roxbury Park Community Center and City Hall. More information is available at LAVote.gov, Beverlyhills.org/Elections or the Beverly Hills City Clerk’s Office at 310-285-2400.
