Bob Blumenfield is out. After twelve years of representing the West San Fernando Valley, term limits are finally forcing him to pack up his desk at City Hall. This isn't just another local shuffle. District 3—covering Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Canoga Park, Winnetka, and Reseda—is at a massive crossroads. With the massive Rams Village development looming and the 2028 Olympics around the corner, whoever wins the June 2, 2026 primary inherits a district that feels like it's being rebuilt from the ground up.
You've got three main contenders fighting for the seat. They aren't career politicians in the traditional sense, which makes this race weirder and more unpredictable than usual. If nobody clears 50% in June, we’re heading to a runoff in November. But honestly, the primary is where the real soul-searching happens for Valley voters.
The Candidates Breaking Down the Field
This isn't a crowded stage, but the personalities couldn't be more different. We’re looking at a tech guy, an insurance pro, and a seasoned staffer.
Christopher Robert “C.R.” Celona is the wild card. He calls himself a "TikTok philosopher" and a tech entrepreneur. He’s leaning hard into the "outsider" vibe. His pitch is basically that the West Valley has been ignored, specifically Winnetka and Canoga Park. He’s talking about the basics: repaving streets and adding fire stations. It’s a populist angle that might resonate with people tired of City Hall jargon.
Tim Gaspar is the local business heavyweight. He built a massive insurance firm in the Valley and recently sold it. He’s running as a moderate Democrat. If you’re a business owner in Woodland Hills, he’s probably your guy. He’s focused on safety and economic stability, trying to position himself as the pragmatic choice who knows how to sign the front of a paycheck, not just the back.
Barri Worth Girvan is the "inside-outside" candidate. She has the deepest resume in local government, having worked for everyone from Congressman Brad Sherman to Supervisor Lindsey Horvath. She knows where the bodies are buried in City Hall. Her supporters see her as the only one who won't need a map to find the bathroom on Day 1. Her opponents will likely paint her as part of the establishment.
What Is Actually at Stake
It’s not just about who answers your emails about a broken streetlight. The West Valley is about to change physically.
The old Woodland Hills Promenade is being flattened. In its place, the Rams Village is rising. This isn't just a practice field for a football team; it’s a massive retail and residential hub. The next council member will decide how that project integrates with the neighborhood. Do we get more traffic nightmares on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, or does this actually become a walkable "downtown" for the West Valley?
Then there's the Boeing Santa Susana Field Lab. It’s an old rocket engine testing site with a messy environmental history. The cleanup has been a decades-long saga. District 3 residents are rightfully obsessed with this because it’s a public health issue. Blumenfield was aggressive on this; his successor can't afford to be soft.
The Money and the Influence
Money is already pouring in. As of mid-April 2026, the campaign finance reports show some serious spending. Political Action Committees (PACs) are sniffing around. For example, the Angelenos for Safe Transportation PAC has already dropped significant cash to support Tim Gaspar.
- Tim Gaspar: Has raised over $140,000 and has strong PAC backing.
- Barri Worth Girvan: Also showing strong fundraising, hovering around the $150,000 mark.
- C.R. Celona: Lagging behind in the cash race but relying on digital "influencer" reach.
Don’t ignore the PAC money. When a "Taxi Cooperative" or a "Business Alliance" spends $13,000 to support a candidate, they expect a seat at the table. You should be looking at who is funding these ads hitting your mailbox.
Why This Election Feels Different
The West Valley has always been the "moderate" wing of Los Angeles. While the rest of the city drifts toward more progressive or "abolitionist" stances on policing and homelessness, District 3 usually wants a balance. They want the trash picked up, the encampments moved, and the police to show up when called.
All three candidates are trying to claim this middle ground. Nobody is running on a "defund" platform here. They’re all talking about "pragmatism." The real question is who you trust to actually execute it. Celona says the system is broken. Gaspar says he’s a businessman who fixes things. Girvan says she knows how to pull the levers of power.
Your Next Steps Before June 2
Don't just take my word for it. You’ve got a few weeks to do the homework.
- Check the Map: Confirm you actually live in District 3. Redistricting shifted things a few years back. If you’re in Canoga Park, Winnetka, or Tarzana, you’re likely in.
- Follow the Money: Go to the L.A. City Ethics Commission website. Look up "District 3" and see who is writing the checks. If a developer is funding a candidate, ask yourself why.
- Show Up: There are usually candidate forums at the West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce or local neighborhood councils. Seeing these people speak without a script is the only way to tell if they’re full of it.
The June primary isn't a suggestion. It's the filter. If you don't vote now, you're stuck with whoever the loudest 10% of the district chooses. Get your ballot ready.
