While much of the world focuses on the national elections, East Hollywood Community Activist Elson Trinidad announced his candidacy to replace Eric Garcetti as the Council Member for District 13 earlier this week. District 13 includes Hollywood, East Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Glassell Park, Filipino Town and other mid-town communities. Garcetti of course is term-limited out of his seat and is running for Mayor. The primary election will be held in March, 2013.

“Los Angeles is at a wonderful point in its history right now, with all that is going on in terms of transportation. We have a transit and cycling infrastructure that didn’t really exist 25 years ago when all I had back then was the RTD and my student bus pass. Walkable, livable and self-sufficient neighborhoods are the new ideal here,” writes Trinidad in a message to Streetsblog.

“I strongly believe the answer is balance — dividing your modes of transportation appropriately, so you’re less dependent on the car. I’ve lived a car-lite lifestyle for years, because it’s more practical, healthier, sustainable and fun. Many communities in the 13th District are a perfect fit for that kind of mindset, and I hope to make CD13 the shining example for all Angelenos to follow.”

Streetsblog doesn’t endorse candidates, and there are several good ones in the sixteen candidate field in District 13, but we do note when one of our contributors is running for higher office. In addition to filming and editing the Streetfilm below, Trinidad has twice been a host committee member for our annual Eco-Village Fundraiser where he helped bring out a great crowd and was a featured musical act. Streetsblog also reposted several of his videos when he played all 30 pianos scattered throughout the county as part of the “Play Me I’m Yours” exhibit.

Streetsblog will have a lot more on this election going forward, after that other election coming up in November. For now, Trinidad doesn’t have a website online just yet, but you can read more about him at the campaign’s Facebook Page.