Former West Hollywood Mayor and veteran councilmember John Duran has officially announced his bid to return to the City Council in the upcoming 2026 General Municipal Election, bringing an end to months of intense local political speculation.
Confirming the news directly to WEHO TIMES during the city’s recent WeHo Pride weekend celebrations, Duran made his intentions clear after a period of weighing a potential campaign.
“It’s true. I will be running for City Council,” Duran told the publication.
Known for his decades of involvement in West Hollywood’s civic history, Duran brought a characteristically candid and lighthearted perspective to his decision to enter the race. “We need some gray hair on the City Council,” he added with a laugh, framing his candidacy as a bid to reintroduce seasoned leadership and institutional knowledge to the current five-member governing body.
Duran’s entry into the 2026 race instantly reshapes the local electoral landscape, leveraging his high name recognition and deep-rooted ties to West Hollywood’s LGBTQ+ and advocacy communities.
