Laura Friedman

Laura Friedman was born in New York and lives in Glendale, California. Friedman earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester, New York, in 1988. Her career experience includes working as a producer and head of development in the entertainment industry and as a small business owner selling antiques and decorative arts. Friedman served on the board of directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, as past president of the Independent Cities Association, as a board member of the Southern California Association of Governments, and on the Glendale Design Review Board. She was elected to the Glendale City Council in 2009 and re-elected in 2013. She served as mayor of Glendale from 2011 to 2012.[1][2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Laura Friedman is running to succeed Congressmember Adam Schiff in California’s 30th Congressional District. Laura has an extraordinary record of progressive leadership as a State Assemblymember; Glendale City Councilmember and Mayor, community activist; and in the private sector.

From banning gun shows from being held on Glendale city property and across the street from schools, authoring meaningful legislation to add more affordable housing, ending the fur trade in California, co-authoring single-payer healthcare legislation and authoring first-in-the-nation legislation to combat climate change, Laura has achieved results on every progressive issue in California politics. Now she wants to use her experience to bring about effective change in Congress.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

For the past seven years, I have developed a reputation as being a legislator unafraid to tackle big and often controversial issues, while also being highly effective. I am proud of my work to increase the production of affordable housing, fight climate change, increase investments in transit, to protect civil rights and increase access to healthcare. I have demonstrated that I work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, even when it takes years, to pass meaningful legislation important to our state.

Of all the candidates in the race, I have the greatest amount of endorsements which are truly meaningful to the voters in this district. I have been endorsed by the LA Times, by far the most Democratic Clubs, IATSE, and trusted leaders including Congresswoman Judy Chu, California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, California Treasurer Fiona Ma, LA City Councilmembers Nithya Raman, Hugo Soto Martinez and Katy Yaroslovsky, Burbank Mayor Nick Schultz, Burbank Councilmembers Nikki Perez and Konstantine Anthony, and Glendale Councilmember Paula Devine. My candidacy is supported by the League of Conservation Voters, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Emily’s List, and dozens more.

As a California State Assemblymember, as a Glendale City Councilmember and Mayor, I have led on groundbreaking local and state environmental policies. I have been a steadfast advocate for increasing our investments in, and commitment to, 100% clean renewable energy; decarbonizing our economy; reducing single-passenger vehicle trips and investing instead in better, more efficient, mass transit options. This is the reason that I’ve been endorsed by every major environmental group which has taken a position in the race.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Addressing Housing Costs & Homelessness, Fighting Climate Change, Civil Rights protections including restoring a woman’s right to choose and protecting voting rights.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Canvassing for abortion rights and the ERA with my mother, who founded the first chapter of NOW in Broward County Florida taught me how to communicate with a wide variety of people of different backgrounds and perspectives. But it was my experience as a film producer which best prepared me for being an effective elected leader. In 20+ years of experience in the industry, my job was to identify projects to make into film and TV projects - to have a vision, to make others passionate about that vision and assemble a team, then to manage the project through from beginning to end. I find that my work as a legislator requires similar skills of engagement, collaboration, and persistence.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I don’t believe that we elect people so that they will disappear into Washington and work alone to fix things for us. I believe in elected officials being just one aspect of the more important process of movement-building. It is our role as electeds to shepard both legislation and activism. We write policy but should also work with advocates on developing public support and buy-in. We also need to be willing to adjust policy based on feedback to meet the needs of the community. We can’t do that if we aren’t listening and participating locally.

So many of our challenges, such as homelessness, poverty and sustainability, can only be addressed through commitment of both government and the community. It is the responsibility of elected officials to work on policy on the government side in partnership and with cooperation with community members, advocates and activists.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The growing gap between rich and poor and the disempowerment of individuals is a huge challenge, and a focus in my legislative work. Far too often the needs of workers and ordinary people are put secondary to the profits of big corporations. I’ve seen my constituents taken advantage of by landlords, hospital chains, their employers, online ticket sellers. The polluters keep polluting, with all of us paying the price. This has resulted in homelessness, misery, poverty and a sense of cynicism and disenfranchisement. Simply put, people don’t believe that the government or our political system is set up to work for them, and that is a danger to Democracy.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The Los Angeles Times; Congressional Progressive Caucus; Abundant Housing Los Angeles, California Environmental Voters, California Legislative Jewish Caucus, California Legislative Progressive Caucus, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Climate Hawks Vote, Elect Democratic Women, Emily’s List, League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, National Women’s Political Caucus, National Organization for Women PAC (NOW PAC), Women’s March Action, San Fernando Valley Young Democrats, Southern California Armenian Democrats, Valley Grassroots for Democracy, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), I.A.T.S.E. Local Unions of the Greater Los Angeles Region, Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters, Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis.

What committees interest you?

The bulk of my work has been in environmental sustainability and climate change, issues I plan to continue as a major focus. I also work on uplifting disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations. Transportation, equity and housing affordability are also major issue areas for me. To that end, I would request to serve on Natural Resources, Transportation and infrastructure, Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, and Ethics.

Campaign website

Friedman's campaign website stated the following:

Healthcare

Laura believes that healthcare is a human right.

During her time in the State Assembly, Laura has authored and supported important legislation to increase access to healthcare for millions of Californians, lower drug prices, empower healthcare professionals, and has been a vocal supporter of single-payer healthcare and putting our state on the path to healthcare for all.

Laura has vowed to continue to fight until everyone has access to quality and affordable healthcare.

Environment

Laura is a proven environmental champion.

As a California State Assemblymember, as a Glendale City Councilmember and Mayor, and as a citizen, Laura Friedman has led on groundbreaking local and state environmental policies. Laura is uncompromising in her commitment to combating the climate crisis through increased utilization and development of clean energy and promoting sustainable methods of transportation for people and goods.

Laura is ready to bring her track-record of effective environmental leadership to Washington.

Women's Rights

Laura has fought for the rights of women her whole life.

In the wake of a wave of sexual harassment allegations that came to light in the Capitol, Laura served as the Chair of the Joint Rules Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention and Response, overseeing a groundbreaking culture and procedural change that shifted how the legislature handles allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation in the Capitol.

As the first women to serve the 30th Congressional District in Congress, Laura will be a fearless defender of women's rights to their bodies, equal pay, and equal treatment under the law.

Housing

Laura is a bold advocate for housing affordability.

Laura believes that housing affordability and homelessness is Los Angeles’ most urgent crisis. Laura has worked to increase our affordable housing stock; cut red tape that has prevented the development of housing; voted to invest billions of dollars in funds towards new housing and homelessness services; increased tenant protections; and fought hard to make sure those living on our streets have access to the care and services they need.

In congress, Laura will fight for the resources and legislative action we need to combat the homelessness epidemic and make housing more accessible to all people.

Transportation

Laura has brought revolutionary change to CA transportation policy.

Laura has earned a reputation as a forward-thinking policymaker who understands the key role transportation plays in shaping the future of our state. Laura has been a steadfast advocate for better, more efficient, mass transit options such as rail and improved bus service; for more active transportation options in urban areas including safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure; and for the utilization of emerging technologies to greatly improve how people move around where they live, work, and play.

In Washington, Laura will continue her work of making our nation's transportation policies more equitable and sustainable.

LGBTQIA+ Rights

Laura is a lifelong champion for LGBTQIA+ rights.

Laura believes that LGBTQIA+ rights are fundamental human rights and that we can not have a free and equitable society until we protect the rights of all. Laura has fought to end LGBTQIA+ job and housing discrimination; to increase healthcare access and protections for transgender individuals; has supported efforts by Equality California to protect Trans and gender diverse individuals; and has worked to ensure all spaces are open and welcoming to people across the spectrum of gender and sexual orientation.

Laura will always fight to protect and elevate the rights of all LGBTQIA+ people who call our nation home.

Civil Rights

Laura is unwavering in her commitment to uphold and defend the rights of all people.

Laura is a lifelong defender of human rights. As an Assemblymember, Laura has a track record of proposing and passing legislation to end sexual harassment and retaliation in the workplace, reform our broken criminal justice system, protect immigrants, ensure foster youth have the resources they need to lead successful lives, and to strengthen protections for the elderly and people with disabilities in residential care facilities. As a leader and citizen of California, Laura will continue to fight to ensure that our nation is a truly equitable place for everyone.

Laura will continue to be a staunch defender of equity and justice.

Worker's Rights

Laura will work every day to protect our workers.

Laura has been a champion for organizer labor throughout her career. As a Glendale City Councilmember Laura spearheaded the City’s first Project Labor Agreement. As an Assemblymember, Laura has worked closely with union members to address equity and justice, including efforts to ensure University of California campuses use union labor; to increase emergency funding, PPE, and protections to workers during the COVID-19 pandemic; and has joined union members in her districts in advocating for a living wage and workplace protections.

In Congress, Laura will always be a champion for working people, including being committed to fight for a federal $15 minimum wage.[8]

—Laura Friedman's campaign website (2024)[9]

Laura Friedman did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Laura Friedman did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.