Tom Labonge

Presenter at 9th annual LA Music Awards

Thomas J. “Tom” LaBonge (born October 6, 1953) is an American politician. He was a member of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 4th district, serving from 2001 to 2015. He won a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of long-time council member John Ferraro. The district represents a wide diversity of incomes and neighborhoods. At the time he was in office, he eas the Chairman of the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging committee, Vice Chairman of the Transportation Committee and the Ad Hoc River Committee, and member of the Trade, Commerce & Tourism Committee, and the Ad Hoc on Recovering Energy, Natural Resources & Economic Benefit from Waste for L.A. (RENEW LA) in the city of Los Angeles. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Prior to serving as councilman, LaBonge was Director of Community Relations at the Department of Water and Power, Special Assistant to Mayor Richard Riordan, and Chief Deputy to Council President John Ferraro. LaBonge is a lifelong advocate for Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation, which falls in his district. LaBonge is currently in his third and final term, having reached the three term limit. His current Chief of Staff, Carolyn Ramsay, is running to replace him, along with Teddy Davis, Tara Bannister, and former staff member, Director of Special Projects Sheila Irani, among others.

A graduate of John Marshall High School, LaBonge received his Bachelor degree in sociology from California State University, Los Angeles. He married graphic designer and illustrator Brigid Manning LaBonge in 1988. They reside in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles with their two children Mary-Cate and Charles.

Tom LaBonge was born October 6, 1953 at Queen of Angels Hospital, the seventh of eight boys born to Mary Louise Learnihan LaBonge & Robert LaBonge of Silver Lake. Tom’s deep-felt love for the City of Angels was imparted to him by his parents whose families have roots reaching several generations in this city dating back to the 1880s.
Tom and Brothers Tom (second from right) with his seven brothers.
Tom graduated from Ivanhoe Elementary School in 1965, Thomas Starr King Middle School in 1968 and John Marshall High School in 1971 – all located in Silver Lake.
Tom’s love for football began in high school when he was captain of the John Marshall High School Varsity Football Team, later playing with Los Angeles City College and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as an undergraduate. This passion helped him win a job with NFL Films that lasted for many years.
Tom receiving a report card Tom with his older brothers receives a report from Ivanhoe principal, Mrs. Joiner.
His civic spirit was ignited as a teenager when he served on Mayor Tom Bradley’s Youth Council. “I remember how good I felt when I could help someone out. I just knew from the very beginning that this was going to be my life’s work – serving the people of Los Angeles in any way I could.”
Tom as a City Worker
Upon earning his undergraduate degree from Cal State Los Angeles, he joined the staff of Councilwoman Peggy Stevenson, 13th District, in 1976 – his first city job.
In 1978, he moved Council staffs to work for John Ferraro, Council President.
Tom and Brigid In 1979 Tom met his future wife, Brigid Manning, at the Palomino Club in North Hollywood.
As a council aide to John Ferraro for 15 years, Tom learned from the master who set the highest standard in the city in terms of an elected leader. As a 4th District field deputy, Tom learned the meaning and value of constituent service.
In his capacity as chief of field operations for Mayor Riordan, Tom oversaw a staff of deputies assigned to neighborhoods throughout every region of the 465-square-mile city and acted as the Mayor’s special representative at community events.
In 1997, Tom was named Humanitarian of the Year by the Los Angeles City Employee’s Association. andtook a job as Director of Community Relations at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
Tom being Sworn In Surrounded by his family, Tom LaBonge is sworn in as newly elected councilmember.
In 2001, upon the untimely death of John Ferraro, Tom won handily after a special election to represent the people of the 4th Council District. His priorities as an elected leader included neighborhood preservation and enhancement, improved transportation systems, mobility, public safety, expansion and improvement of parks and open space and beautification.
Tom was elected to his first four-year term in 2003 and second four-year term in 2007.
“Let’s continue to enjoy and love the great City of Los Angeles!”
– Tom LaBonge