Yebri Extends Fundraising Lead, Reporting $680,451.67 Raised in CD5 Race
- January 12, 2022
Yebri Remains The Only Candidate To Refuse Corporate and PAC Money and Donations From Real Estate Developers, Billboard, Cannabis, and Oil & Gas Industries
LOS ANGELES, CA – Continuing to propel his campaign for LosAngeles City Council District 5 forward, workers’ rights attorney and longtime community leader Sam Yebri announced today that he had raised $680,451.67 for his grassroots campaign by December 31, 2021. Yebri is the only candidate to refuse donations from real estate developers, billboard companies, cannabis companies, and the oil and gas industry as well as any corporate or PAC money. Public filings show Yebri’s opponents as having accepted them.
Yebri’s total fundraising haul – which comes from nearly 2,000 individual donors – shows broadening grassroots support for his community-backed campaign, which, according to LA Mag, in August announced a commanding $161,000 lead over the candidate with the next highest total, Katy Young. If elected, Yebri would become the first Iranian-American and the first refugee to sit on the Los Angeles City Council.
“Our campaign is about electing a true representative for our community, one who will fight for neighborhoods and residents, not City Hall insiders,” said Yebri. “We need a leader who will stand up to the status quo and stand up for accountability, a leader who will work towards a better, greener, safer, more equitable Los Angeles for all. And I am continually humbled by how deeply our message is resonating.”
The fundraising announcement comes on the heels of the endorsements of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36, AFSCME Local 1083, the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region, and over 1,200 non-profit, progressive, neighborhood, business, and community leaders endorsing Yebri. They join powerful political supporters LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, LA City Councilmembers Joe Buscaino and Curren Price, legendary LA Congressman Henry Waxman, and LA Congresswoman Nannette Barragán. A full endorsement list can be seen here.
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Sam Yebri is an advocate, small business owner, attorney, husband, and father of four young children. Nearly 40 years ago, Sam and his family came to Los Angeles as refugees from Iran and moved to Westwood, where they experienced firsthand the promise of Los Angeles. He attended public schools in the 5th District and went on to earn degrees from Yale and USC Law School. Sam built a successful law firm in the District, working to provide effective representation in a broad range of issues, including civil rights. He has used his expertise to advise startups and small businesses and litigate on behalf of workers, tenants, and refugees. Committed to public service and championing the promise of Los Angeles, Sam formerly served as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles Civil Service Commission and currently serves as a board member of the Friends of Westwood Library. He has also served the Los Angeles community as a board member of numerous non-profits, including the Anti-Defamation League, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, the Jewish Community Foundation, and ETTA, which provides services and housing for developmentally disabled adults.
Los Angeles’ 5th City Council District is being vacated due to term limits by Councilmember Paul Koretz. The District includes the neighborhoods of Bel Air, Beverly Fairfax, Beverly Grove, Beverlywood, Castle Heights, Carthay, Century City, Century Glen, Cheviot Hills, Comstock Hills, Hancock Park, La Brea, Melrose, Miracle Mile, Palms, Pico Robertson, Rancho Park, South Robertson, Westside Village, and Westwood.
