Lester Friedman Pulls Papers for 2026 Reelection Campaign

Friedman shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo outside the City Clerk’s office after filing his candidacy paperwork. The post marked the formal start of his campaign for another term on the City Council, positioning him among the early entrants in the 2026 municipal race.

In his post, Friedman cast his record as crisis-tested leadership and said his next term would center on two themes: public safety and fiscal stability.

“I have successfully led the city through some of its most turbulent years. As mayor, I worked with the Council to hire more police, and continue equipping the department with the technology it needs to expand its ability to detect and prevent crime. I plan to finish that work as well as focus on the city’s financial future. The security and prosperity of Beverly Hills is my priority.”

Friedman’s first term as mayor began in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was sworn in for the second time in 2024.

In recent years, Beverly Hills has drawn national attention for its expanding use of policing technology, including a real-time monitoring approach that integrates cameras, drones, and other tools.

More recently, the city and Beverly Hills Police Department launched “Beverly Hills Connect,” an initiative described as linking privately owned security systems into the city’s Real Time Watch Center.

Friedman has also pointed to long-range planning issues during his 2024 mayoral year, including public safety and preparing for major global events expected to impact the region in coming years.

Before joining the City Council, Friedman served on the Beverly Hills Traffic and Parking Commission from 2011 to 2017 and chaired the commission in 2015.

Beverly Hills voters are expected to decide several local races in the 2026 municipal election, including City Council seats. Friedman’s filing places him among the early entrants as campaigns begin to take shape ahead of Election Day.