Local government veteran and former Pasadena Mayor Rick Cole has announced his candidacy for Pasadena City Council District 2.
Cole, who currently serves as Los Angeles’ Chief Deputy Controller, released a video announcement last week, which you can watch here. The ad focuses on Cole’s local upbringings, his love of public service, and his quest to make Pasadena a more affordable place to live.
Cole grew up in Pasadena and graduated from Blair High School. He attended Occidental College and the University of Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
Cole served three terms on the Pasadena City Council in the 1980s and 1990s before becoming city manager of Azusa, Ventura and then Santa Monica. He still lives in Pasadena and serves on the city’s Planning Commission, while advising Mayor Victor Gordo on housing. He is also a part-time Assistant Professor at Occidental College’s Urban and Environmental Policy Institute and an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy. Cole is a known advocate for New Urbanist philosophy, government transparency, and civic engagement.
District 2 is currently held by Felicia Williams, who is running for State Assembly.