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THE WESTSIDE - Sources have confirmed that attorney, community activist and Vice-President of the Los Angeles Planning Commission Mike Newhouse will seek the Democratic nomination for the California State Senate in the 24th District to succeed the retiring and term-limited incumbent, Ben Allen of Santa Monica.
Newhouse, a Venice homeowner, husband and father of two teen-age sons, has apparently made the decision to enter the race sooner than later, as he plans his bid for elective office.
A past president of the Venice Neighborhood Council, the soon-to-be candidate apparently is formulating his campaign staff and will focus on the environment, public safety and other quality-of-life issues that face this sprawling coastal legislative district.
An attorney and partner at the Newhouse Law Group with his wife Ruthie based in Los Angeles, Newhouse has over 20 years of experience, as his practice spans various areas, including business litigation, real estate law, regulatory matters, and investor class actions. He has been recognized as a "Super Lawyer" by Los Angeles Magazine. His expertise includes representing clients in real estate disputes, partnership conflicts, contract negotiations, and intellectual property issues. He also has extensive appellate advocacy experience and is a licensed real estate broker.
A popular and well-known figure in Venice beyond his legal work, He has been deeply involved in local civic and cultural activities, co-founding the Venice Art Crawl, an initiative promoting local art and culture in the community. Newhouse is also connected with the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils (WRAC), where he served as a founder and former chair, fostering collaboration among the numerous Westside neighborhood council bodies.
Newhouse remains active in music, playing bass and guitar for a local band called The Potential Suitors. His work and activities reflect a unique commitment to the community, blending professional expertise with cultural and civic endeavors.
Newhouse also has served as Master of Ceremonies for the annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting sponsored by the Venice Chamber of Commerce.
Newhouse earned a BA from the University of Southern California (USC) in Environmental Studies & Political Science, and earned his Juris Doctorate from the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, with a Certificate in Natural Resources Law.
Newhouse loves restoring and renovating older homes and is a passionate athlete, sports fan and traveler.
A 2022 candidate for the Los Angeles City Council in District 11, Newhouse positioned himself as an experienced and centrist leader prepared to address critical issues such as homelessness, public safety, and environmental protection. His campaign emphasized a pragmatic approach to homelessness, combining outreach and enforcement. Regarding public safety, he prioritized hiring more police officers and sanitation workers, aligning with his belief in the "broken windows" theory to improve community conditions.
Newhouse proudly endorsed the eventual winner, LA Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11), a fellow attorney and Venetian.
A respected civic leader here in Los Angeles, Newhouse has served on various Los Angeles planning commissions, including his recent appointment to the Los Angeles Citywide Planning Commission by Mayor Karen Bass in 2024 where he serves as Vice-President. Previously, he served on the West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission from 2017 to 2022.
California Senate District 24 includes the cities and communities of Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Calabasas, El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, Lomita, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Santa Monica, Torrance, West Hollywood, and Westlake Village; and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Bel Air, Beverly Grove, Brentwood, Fairfax, Holmby Hills, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Little Holmby, Mid City West, Pacific Palisades, Playa del Rey, Sunset Hills, Venice, Westwood, and Westwood Village; and the unincorporated Los Angeles County communities of the Santa Monica Mountains and Marina Del Rey.
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-one year resident of Venice and covers the people and politics of the Westside. Have a take or a tip? Contact him via e-mail at [email protected])
