Meet Andy Licht, Candidate For Beverly Hills City Council

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Andy Licht, 68, is vying to be elected to the Beverly Hills City Council.

In the June 2 election, voters will choose from a list of 11 candidates running for three council seats. Incumbents Lester Friedman and Sharona R. Nazarian are seeking reelection. The seat currently held by Councilman John Mirisch is open, as Mirisch has reached his term limit.

Among those running is Licht.

Learn more about Licht's goals for Beverly Hills:

What is your educational background?

I’m a proud product of Beverly Hills public schools, attending Hawthorne and Beverly Hills High School. I earned a bachelor of arts in economics, with honors, from University of California, Berkeley, building a strong foundation in critical thinking and policy. I later earned a master’s degree, also with honors, from USC School of Cinematic Arts, sharpening my skills in communication and leadership.

What is your professional background?

My background spans entertainment, education, and public service. I began at Warner Bros. as one of the youngest producers at 23 and went on to produce films and lead complex projects. I also spent 16 years as a professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, mentoring future leaders. In Beverly Hills, I’ve served 14 years on commissions, including Planning Commission Chair, gaining hands-on experience in local governance and community issues.

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

I have not held elected office, but I have served Beverly Hills for over 14 years in appointed roles. I’ve served on the Traffic and Parking Commission, the Planning Commission, including as chair, and currently on the Cultural Heritage Commission, along with advisory boards. These roles have given me hands-on experience in land use, public safety, and preserving neighborhood character, preparing me to serve effectively on the City Council.

What are the top three issues facing Beverly Hills right now?

Public safety is the most pressing issue in Beverly Hills and must remain our top priority. We need to ensure our police and fire departments have the staffing, training, and technology to respond effectively. That also means addressing everyday concerns like speeding, reckless driving, noise, and emergency preparedness so residents feel safe in every neighborhood.

Second, we must protect the city’s financial strength. Rising costs and economic uncertainty require disciplined leadership. I will focus on responsible budgeting, reducing waste, and improving transparency so residents understand how their tax dollars are used. Smart, data-driven decisions will help preserve essential services and long-term stability.

Third, we need a balanced approach to growth. We must meet state housing mandates while protecting neighborhood character and avoiding overdevelopment. With thoughtful planning and real community input, we can grow responsibly without losing what makes Beverly Hills special.

How should Beverly Hills approach state housing mandates while addressing concerns about density, neighborhood character, and infrastructure?

Beverly Hills must comply with state law, but we should do it in a way that protects the character, safety, and quality of life of our neighborhoods.

I believe in local control, thoughtful planning, and responsible growth. Housing decisions should not be made through one-size-fits-all mandates from Sacramento, and Beverly Hills should be aggressive in defending its ability to plan for its own future.

That means focusing new housing in appropriate areas, protecting single-family neighborhoods, preserving the charm and scale that make Beverly Hills unique, and requiring any new development to come with real infrastructure planning. Density cannot be looked at in isolation. We have to consider traffic, parking, public safety, water, power reliability, schools, and city services.

My approach is simple: comply with the law, avoid builder’s remedy overdevelopment, and insist on smart, measured planning that serves residents first. Beverly Hills can meet its obligations without sacrificing the identity of our city.

What opportunities and challenges do you see with the Metro D Line extension, and how should the city respond?

The Metro D Line extension is a once in a generation project that will change how people get to and move through Beverly Hills. It creates real opportunity. It can ease traffic over time, improve access across the region, and bring more visitors to support our local businesses, especially in the Golden Triangle.

At the same time, there are real concerns. Construction has already taken a toll on many small businesses and disrupted daily life. When the line opens, we need to be ready for increased demand on parking, traffic, and public safety. There is also the risk that it could drive overdevelopment around station areas if we are not careful.

The city needs to stay ahead of this. That means having a clear plan for traffic flow, parking, and first and last mile connections so people can get to and from stations safely and efficiently. Public safety has to be a priority, with strong coordination between our police department and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to make sure stations are safe and well managed.

We also need to continue supporting our small businesses so they can benefit from the increased access, not be pushed out by it.

If we handle this the right way, the D Line can be a real asset for Beverly Hills while still preserving what makes our city special.

Why are you a better choice than your opponents?

I’m a lifelong Beverly Hills resident who understands this community because I’ve lived it. I went to school here, raised my family here, and have spent 14 years serving the city on our commissions, including as chair of the Planning Commission. I bring experience, but also perspective.

What sets me apart is that I’m not running with an agenda driven by ideology or outside interests. I’m focused on common sense leadership that puts residents first. That means keeping public safety our top priority, protecting the character of our neighborhoods, and making thoughtful decisions about development so we don’t lose what makes Beverly Hills special.

I also bring a track record of showing up, listening, and working through tough issues. I’ve spent years in the room making decisions, not just talking about them. I understand how city government works, where it succeeds, and where we need to do better.

Most importantly, I believe our city works best when we come together. Beverly Hills does not need more division or political posturing. We need steady leadership, clear thinking, and someone who can balance competing priorities while always keeping the long term health of the city in mind.

I’m running to protect what we love about Beverly Hills and to make sure we are making smart decisions for the future.