Culver City, California Elects First Openly LGBTQ+ Mayor and Vice Mayor Duo

A new chapter in civic leadership has commenced in Culver City, as the City Council last Monday evening ushered in a historic era with the unanimous selection of its first openly LGBTQ+ Mayor and Vice Mayor. These groundbreaking appointments, alongside a new City Manager, unfolded before a capacity audience at the Mike Balkman Council Chambers, signaling a profound shift toward inclusive governance for the Southern California municipality.

Council Member Freddy Puza was unanimously chosen to assume the mayoral office for 2026, marking a significant milestone as the first openly LGBTQ+ individual to hold this esteemed position in the city's 108-year history. Elected to the City Council in 2022, Mayor-elect Puza is poised to lead during a period of substantial growth and increasing diversity within Culver City, as reported by Gayety.

Joining him in this historic leadership structure is Council Member Bubba Fish, who also received unanimous appointment as Vice Mayor. Council Member Fish, elected in 2024, and Mayor-elect Puza collectively form Culver City's inaugural openly LGBTQ+ mayoral and vice-mayoral duo. This landmark achievement reflects the city's evolving political and cultural landscape, underscoring a deepening commitment to diverse representation at the highest levels of local government.

Further solidifying the city's administrative team, Odis Jones received unanimous approval as Culver City's next City Manager. Mr. Jones succeeds John Nachbar, who earned widespread commendation for his 15 years of dedicated public service. Bringing over three decades of executive leadership experience from various local and state governments across Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and New Jersey, Mr. Jones's expertise spans economic development, public finance, organizational leadership, and large-scale infrastructure projects. City officials lauded his consistent emphasis on transparency, equity, community engagement, and collaborative governance as invaluable assets for Culver City.

Mayor-elect Puza's inaugural remarks reflected both a profound acknowledgment of the city's past and a resolute commitment to forging a more equitable future. "This is a new day in Culver City," Puza stated, expressing his honor to collaborate with the new City Manager in cultivating novel opportunities and operational approaches. He candidly addressed Culver City’s historical legacy as a former sundown town, underscoring the imperative of confronting this past while actively shaping a different trajectory. "We don't get to forget it. We don't get to pretend it didn't happen," Puza asserted. "While we are not responsible for the transgressions of the past, we are unequivocally accountable for the future we construct."

He passionately affirmed Culver City's steadfast support for immigrant families, LGBTQ+ residents, and tenants, pledging vigorous protection of civil rights and human dignity for all community members. These powerful statements garnered enthusiastic applause from the assembled audience, many of whom described the occasion as deeply moving and long overdue.

Looking forward, Mayor-elect Puza delineated three primary objectives for his term: advancing affordability and environmental stewardship through enhanced housing and climate initiatives; fortifying fiscal accountability via transparent budgeting and increased public disclosure; and elevating Culver City's prominence as a premier destination for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Each objective, Puza articulated, is fundamentally anchored in ensuring stability, fostering belonging, and creating opportunities for every individual who calls Culver City home.

"It's a new day in Culver City," he reiterated, concluding with a compelling call to action: "Let's meet this moment with courage, with conviction and with a unified vision of what this city can be."

Mayor-elect Puza is scheduled to preside over his first City Council meeting on January 12, 2026.