Laura Friedman

Early life and career

Friedman comes from a Jewish family in New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester in New York. In 1992, Friedman moved to Hollywood, eventually relocating to Glendale in 2000 where she currently resides.

Between 1994 and 1997, Friedman was the vice president of development at Rysher Entertainment, where she oversaw the production of approximately ten feature films annually as well as extensive television programming.

In 1995, Friedman was the co-producer of the Warner Brothers release It Takes Two. In 1996, she was associate producer of House Arrest; executive producer of Foxfire; executive producer of the family film Zeus and Roxanne; and associate producer of the independent film Aberration, which was released by LIVE Entertainment. Between 1998 and 1999, Friedman was the vice president of development at Cort/Madden Company. Since 2000, Friedman has owned and managed PlanetGlass.net, a web-based art glass dealership.

Political career

In April 2011, Friedman became the mayor of Glendale, California.

California State Assembly

In 2019, Friedman authored legislation supported by animal rights organizations and activists to prohibit the sale of new fur products in California. The bill was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2019, making California the first state to ban the sale of fur. In 2024, Friedman co-authored legislation with Assemblymember Steve Bennett to prohibit the commercial farming of octopuses in California. The legislation was enacted in September 2024, making California the second state to prohibit octopus farming after the state of Washington banned the practice earlier that year.

On September 7, 2021, she delayed the release of $4 billion of voter approved bonds for the California High-Speed Rail, stating that the California High-Speed Rail Authority has "not provided us any real details about what the money would go towards this year". The CHSRA Chief Financial Officer, Brian Annis, countered by stating that the CHSRA already presented to the legislature the expenditure plan in February 2021 and that this delayed release by Friedman could cause budget delays to snowball.

Friedman is a member of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2024

Main article: 2024 California's 30th congressional district election

In January 2023, Friedman launched her candidacy in the 2024 election in California's 30th congressional district. The incumbent representative, Adam Schiff, vacated the seat in his successful bid in the 2024 United States Senate election in California. Friedman defeated physician Alex Balekian, receiving 68.4% of the vote.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Energy
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management (Vice Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
  • Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Caucus membership

• Congressional Progressive Caucus
• California Legislative Progressive Caucus

Electoral history

2016

2018

2020

2022

2024

Personal life

Friedman is married to Guillaume Lemoine, a professional landscape designer. The couple has a daughter, Rachel, born in 2013.

References

References

1. "Rep. Laura Friedman - D California, 30th- Biography".
2. "Rep. Laura Friedman - D California, 30th, In Office - Biography {{!}} LegiStorm".
3. "Management Services: City Council".
4. Levine, Brittany. (April 9, 2012). "Mayor Laura Friedman baffled by colleagues' indecision". Glendale News-Press.
5. Parker, Jordan. (September 23, 2022). "YIMBYs cheer 'landmark' law to eliminate parking mandates in housing near transit". San Francisco Chronicle.
6. Arom, Eitan. (January 6, 2017). "Jewish state legislators ready to make an impact". [[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles.
7. "Management Services: Laura Friedman".
8. (January 9, 2009). "Qualifications". VoteLauraFriedman.com.
9. Klady, Leonard. (November 20, 1995). "It Takes Two". Variety.
10. "Laura Friedman's Biography". [[Vote Smart]].
11. "Bill Text - AB-44 Fur products: prohibition.".
12. Kaur, Harmeet. (October 13, 2019). "California becomes the first state to ban fur products". CNN.
13. (16 August 2024). "What's California going to ban now? Farmed octopus sales". CalMatters.
14. (30 September 2024). "Why did Newsom sign an octopus farming ban in California? Here's why". NBC Los Angeles.
15. (September 7, 2021). "Friedman Derails Bullet Train Budget". Streetsblog California.
16. "Legislative Progressive Caucus". California State Assembly.
17. (February 3, 2023). "As Reps. Adam Schiff, Katie Porter launch Senate campaigns, the race to replace them begins". Los Angeles Times.
18. "November 5, 2024, General Election - United States Representative".
19. (January 22, 2025). "Ranking Member Larsen Welcomes T&I Vice Ranking Members". The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure.
20. "Caucus Members".
21. "Primary Election - Statement of the Vote, June 7, 2022".
22. "General Election - Statement of the Vote, November 8, 2022 - State Assembly".
23. (2024). "Statement of Vote". [[Secretary of State of California]].
24. (2024). "Statement of Vote". [[Secretary of State of California]].