Mike Bonin is a progressive activist who currently serves as Rosendahl’s Chief of Staff on the Los Angeles City Council. Bonin served as Rosendahl’s Campaign Manager in his run for City Council and functions as Rosendahl’s Senior Policy Adviser and troubleshooter, working as liaison with Mayor Villaraigosa. Bonin helped broker a lawsuit to end LAX expansion serving as co-chair of the North Runway safety Advisory Committee.
Bonin also served as California Regional Field Organizer for Obama for America; Deputy chief of Staff and District Director for U.S. Rep. Jane Harman in the 11th District; and for the former Los Angels City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter as Legislative Deputy, District Director and finally, Deputy Chief of Staff.
Bonin is a consultant to the Courage Campaign, a grassroots advocacy organization focusing on progressive causes including the LGBT equality and the repeal of both California’s Prop 8 and the Federal Defense of Marriage Act. Mike is co-founder and Program Director of Camp Courage, a training program in the philosophy and tactics of community organizing for the LGBT community. He is a Harvard graduate with a B.A. in United States history. A Massachusetts native, he has lived in Venice since 1992.
Other declared candidates include: Frederick Sutton, Odysseus Bostick (teacher and blogger, from Venice) and Mark Ryavec. Ryavec has worked as a legislative analyst and political consultant and heads a Venice Neighborhgood group. The Brentwood News will extend an invitation to all candidates to interview them.
