Burbank City Council races powered by DSA
Canvassers prepare to knock doors for Burbank city council candidates endorsed by DSA-LA
DSA-LA has officially endorsed current City Councilmember Konstantine Anthony as well as newcomer Mike Van Gorder for the two open Burbank City Council seats for the 2024 general election in November. Comrades across the San Fernando Valley (SFV), the northwestern portion of the DSA-LA chapter, are starting up the campaign to get these two fine socialists elected—strategizing and mobilizing so we can hit the ground running.
At the top of Burbankers’ minds is the high cost of housing, especially for the city’s 58% renter majority at the mercy of the state’s 10% rent cap, lack of universal just cause, and minimal protections against no-fault evictions. Councilmember Anthony has spent the past four years pushing forward despite loud out-of-town landlords and city staff reluctant to bring real tenant protections and rent stabilization to Burbank in the form of a robust ordinance. Van Gorder currently works as a housing policy analyst for the state of California and is a former tenant organizer. Having Van Gorder on our council, along with Burbank Tenants Union co-founder Anthony, will send a strong message about the need for affordable housing and strong tenant protections.
Candidates of and for the working class
Also on the minds of Burbank residents are continued protections and inclusion of its vibrant LGBTQ community, continued efforts toward gun control, and making our streets safer and more accessible for all. Anthony and Van Gorder both have children in Burbank’s public school system and are members of labor unions, so we are pleased to have these working class champions who stand shoulder to shoulder with striking workers and proudly participate in events celebrating Burbank’s queer and drag communities fighting to represent us on Council.
As the working group gears up, DSA-LA members and allies across the SFV are energized and ready to hit the ground running to make phone calls and knock on doors. With some conservative opponents already raising big money from corporate and real estate interests, we’re excited to show that their money is no match for DSA’s people-powered campaigns. With Anthony and Van Gorder running in Burbank, and Jillian Burgos running for Los Angeles City Council’s 2nd District located in the SFV as well, we are thrilled at the potential for socialist power to expand greatly in this previously untapped area. LA City look out! Burbank could be this region’s newest red hot socialist epicenter!