Celeste Rodriguez

Why Thrive LA endorses Celeste

Celeste Rodriguez represents California's 43rd Assembly District, covering the Northeast San Fernando Valley. She holds a Bachelor's in Economics from San Diego State and a Master's in Social Work from USC. Her career spans city and county government: Homelessness Policy Coordinator and Deputy Director of Community Development Strategies under Mayor Garcetti, San Fernando City Councilmember (2020-2024), and Mayor of San Fernando (2022-2024). She was sworn into the Assembly in December 2024 and serves as Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore. This is a cautious endorsement. Rodriguez is not a natural fit for Thrive LA's economic philosophy. Her career has been spent inside government, her donor base is dominated by public-sector unions, and her instincts lean toward expanding programs rather than restraining spending. But the 43rd District needs a representative who can navigate Sacramento effectively, and Rodriguez has demonstrated the operational competence and coalition-building skills to do so. Her endorsement from Abundant Housing LA signals at least some openness to building more housing, and the California Professional Firefighters endorsement reflects credibility with first responders. In a district where the alternative is further left, Rodriguez represents a pragmatic center that can be held accountable. Her record in San Fernando showed she could govern, not just campaign. As Mayor, she set strategic goals around financial strength and stability for the city. Her time coordinating homelessness policy under Garcetti gave her direct experience managing one of LA's most visible crises across multiple city departments. While her approach has been services-oriented rather than enforcement-driven, she understands the operational complexity of the issue at a level most legislators do not. Her rapid rise to Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore suggests she will have the institutional leverage to deliver results for her district. Celeste Rodriguez has the experience and positioning to serve the 43rd District effectively, and we will be watching to make sure she does.