David Bramante for Agoura Hills City Council 2022
Thank you Agoura Hills!
As a candidate for city council in Agoura Hills, I was filled with hope and determination as I set out on my campaign journey. While I knew that I would be facing some formidable opponents, I also knew that my passion for this community and my vision for its future would be my greatest assets.
As I traveled throughout Agoura Hills, meeting and speaking with my fellow residents, I was struck by the incredible sense of community and the deep connection that so many people had to this place. It was this sense of connection that fueled my desire to win and to serve as a representative on the city council.
Although I was not ultimately elected, I remain deeply grateful to all those who supported me along the way. Your votes, donations, yard signs, endorsements, and all the other forms of private and public support were truly meaningful to me.
I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Deborah, Jeremy, and Chris, who were elected to the city council, as well as to Jan, who was also a fellow candidate. While I may not have won this time, I will continue to work tirelessly to keep Agoura Hills safe, clean, and prosperous in every way that I can.
Bramante 2022 Accounts
Introduction
Hey there, neighbor!
I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I am running for a seat on the Agoura Hills City Council in the upcoming November 8th election. In case we haven’t had the chance to meet yet, let me tell you a little bit about myself.
I have chosen to raise my four young children in Agoura Hills because I absolutely adore this community. From our top-notch schools and clean parks, to our picturesque hiking trails and charming neighborhoods, there is so much to love about Agoura Hills. And let’s not forget about the wonderful people who call this place home – they truly are some of the sweetest around!
As a candidate for city council, my goal is to do everything in my power to keep Agoura Hills safe, clean, and prosperous, all while preserving the small town charm and open spaces that make it such a special place. I am already actively involved in the community as an AYSO soccer coach, a trainee with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and a local business owner (my wife and I own Levine Realtors and have been in the real estate industry for 17 years).
I hope that I can count on your support and your vote as I strive to make a positive difference in Agoura Hills. Thank you in advance for your consideration!
Thank you!
— David
Updated: October 10, 2022
FAQ
- Age (as of Election Day) – I was born in 1982, the same year Agoura Hills was founded. We are both 40!
- Party Affiliation – I am registered as No Party Preference, and I have always voted across party lines. The election for Agoura Hills City Council is non-partisan, and the position itself is to serve the community, not political parties. I believe that party politics marginalizes and divides us, and like most of the voters I have spoken to, I am tired of being judged by my political party affiliation.
- Family – I have four young kids and love being a father, and one of my favorite times of the week together is our Shabbat dinners. I also love being involved in other ways, as an AYSO soccer coach for both my older kids and a parent volunteer at their LVUSD school.
- Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? – No, my mother was a lawyer and my father was a truck driver.
- Education – I graduated from Pali High and attended Otis, studying fine art. When I was 19, I bought my first apartment building and have been in real estate ever since.
- Occupation – I have been in real estate, first as an investor, and then as a real estate agent since I was 19. I own a brokerage, Levine Realtors, with my wife Kayla. I also host a podcast about consciousness and artificial intelligence.
- Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office – I have not previously held an elected or appointed office, however I ran in the California Recall Election for Governor last year, mainly opposing the state-wide mandates, and received nearly 12,000 votes.
- What did the pandemic teach you? The COVID pandemic reinforced what I’ve already seen and experienced during major catastrophic events. I was born in Van Nuys and raised throughout Los Angeles. I lived in North Hollywood during the 1992 LA Riots and lived in Van Nuys during the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. I was even at LAX in Terminal 3 during the 2013 LAX Terminal 3 shooting, where I helped hundreds of travelers at baggage claim get to safety. I lived in Calabasas during the 2018 Woolsey Fire, and like many was evacuated from my home. All of these emergencies have taught me that prior to these events we are often distracted by labels and party preferences and that these emergencies quickly bring us together. They have also taught me that we are often underprepared which is why I am a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainee. They have also taught me that I am a natural born leader who can stay calm in the face of emergencies and can bring people together and keep them safe.
- Why are you seeking elective office? – I am running for Agoura Hills City Council because I am very invested in our city. I want to keep Agoura Hills clean, safe and prosperous, without overbuilding and losing our small town charm. I don’t want to see Agoura Hills turn into Los Angeles.
- What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? A critical difference between me and the other candidates is that I am a political outsider, a regular person and business owner, and an independent thinker. Three of my opponents already work for the city, two of those work for higher level politicians in the state, so I am entering the position as a business person willing to ask tough questions without any party or government pressure.
- If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency): During my campaign, I have actually spoken to hundreds of Agoura Hills voters who, regardless of political party, are very frustrated that their voices weren’t heard about the development planned for Kanan. We all know how congested Kanan is in the mornings and afternoons already during school days, and there is concern about adding an influx of housing to that part of our small city.
- Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. Issues that are important to the voters of Agoura Hills are also important to me. Those big issues right now are water resources, emergency readiness, and overbuilding in our city on main corridors.
- What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? – My whole life has prepared me to be in public service. I grew up very poor on food stamps and through hard work, taking chances, and perseverance I came out the other side. I am able to understand and balance the needs of different points of view and places in life. I own my own real estate business and have created jobs and managed employees, schedules and payroll. I am running for Agoura Hills City Council to keep our city clean, safe and prosperous. As I have in my life, I will take time to listen to and understand all points of view, and work to bridge any gaps for the betterment of our city.
- The best advice ever shared with me was: I’ve learned many lessons from growing up poor with my younger brother and single mother, and received a lot of great insight and advice from the successful business people that I worked with. Some of the best and memorable advice I’ve received has been through my study of Kenpo Karate and Brazilian Jiu Jistu. One thing my Kenpo Karate Sensei Emanuel Jefferson (aka “Skewee”) always said during our training was: “How you do anything is how you do everything.” I still apply that advice today, and share that wisdom with my four kids.
- What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions? I am open minded and a dynamic leader dedicated to Agoura Hills and its future. If you have any questions about me, my campaign, and my plans when elected to City Council, please call me at (310) 906-5459 or visit my website at www.davidbramante.com.