3rd District

Supervisor Horvath, representing Los Angeles County’s Third District, was elected on November 8, 2022, and assumed office on December 5, 2022, after serving as a City Councilmember and the longest consecutively serving Mayor for the City of West Hollywood.

Commissioner John Emmons is a former schoolteacher, U.S. Army veteran and horticulturist. Raised in a rural town in northern California, John grew up valuing our natural environment and attended the University of Nevada, Reno, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He was a public-school elementary teacher when, immediately following the 9/11 attacks, he enlisted as a 96D – Imagery Analyst. John served two tours in Iraq during the initial phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After departing active duty, John continued serving at the Department of Defense as a Counter-Terrorism Expert and even served an additional tour in Afghanistan. He has openly discussed his struggles to manage symptoms related to Traumatic Brain Injury. With his wife, John founded a veteran non-profit organization in Hawaii focused on agricultural therapy. Ho’ola Farms has served veterans, first responders and the greater community of Hilo for over a decade. Looking to build on the success of Ho’ola Farms, John and his family relocated to Santa Monica, CA where he promotes the healing power of nature for veterans and their families. He believes that developing purpose and value at the individual level can uplift and propel humanity, utilizing a critical growth mindset regardless of the personal challenges we all face.

Raul Barragan is a respected community leader, U.S. Army veteran, and advocate for service members and their families throughout Los Angeles County. His journey from military service to civic leadership reflects a lifelong dedication to purpose, integrity, and community empowerment. An eight-year Army veteran who served honorably as a member of the International Security Assistance Force during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Raul developed a deep sense of discipline, camaraderie, and commitment to others. When he returned home, he faced the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, navigating higher education, reintegration, and rediscovering his role within the community.

Guided by determination and a desire to help others do the same, he used his GI Bill benefits to pursue his education, ultimately earning a Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) from the University of Southern California (USC). Professionally, Raul serves as an Advertising Sales Manager at Spectrum Reach, where he partners with local and national businesses to create data-driven, multi-platform marketing campaigns that help communities and industries grow. His leadership and professional excellence reflect the same strategic mindset and collaborative spirit that defined his military career. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Raul is deeply engaged in veteran and community service. As an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), he has held multiple leadership roles, including Commander, Quartermaster, District Commander, West LA Chairman, and Marketing Chair for the VFW Department of California. His work has been recognized as a Mighty 25 by We Are the Mighty, a prominent voice and changemaker within the veteran community. Raul is focused on building bridges between veterans, public agencies, and civic partners to strengthen access to critical support services.