Meet David Levine Bramante, Candidate For Agoura Hills City Council

AGOURA HILLS, CA — As ballots start to hit Agoura Hills mailboxes, it’s time for locals to get to know their candidates.

Come Nov. 8, five candidates will vie for three open Agoura Hills City Council seats as Denis Weber, Mayor Deborah Klein Lopez and Mayor Pro Tem Chris Anstead all have terms ending this year. Lopez and Anstead are both running for re-election.

Agoura Hills residents will also weigh in on a number of other local elections, including the Las Virgenes Unified School District and local water district.

Visit this link for more information about the upcoming Agoura Hills election.

A number of City Council candidates answered questions to introduce themselves to Patch readers. Get to know David Levine Bramante:

Age (as of Election Day)

I was born in 1982, the same year Agoura Hills was founded. We are both 40!

Party Affiliation

I am registered as No Party Preference, and I have always voted across party lines. The election for Agoura Hills City Council is non-partisan, and the position itself is to serve the community, not political parties. I believe that party politics marginalizes and divides us, and like most of the voters I have spoken to, I am tired of being judged by my political party affiliation.

Family

I have four young kids and love being a father, and one of my favorite times of the week together is our Shabbat dinners. I also love being involved in other ways, as an AYSO soccer coach for both my older kids and a parent volunteer at their LVUSD school.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No, my mother was a lawyer and my father was a truck driver.

Education

I graduated from Pali High and attended Otis, studying fine art. When I was 19, I bought my first apartment building and have been in real estate ever since.

Occupation

I have been in real estate, first as an investor, and then as a real estate agent since I was 19. I own a brokerage, Levine Realtors, with my wife Kayla. I also host a podcast about consciousness and artificial intelligence.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I have not previously held an elected or appointed office, however I ran in the California Recall Election for Governor last year, mainly opposing the state-wide mandates, and received nearly 12,000 votes.

Campaign website

www.davidbramante.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running for Agoura Hills City Council because I am very invested in our city. I want to keep Agoura Hills clean, safe and prosperous, without overbuilding and losing our small town charm. I don't want to see Agoura Hills turn into Los Angeles.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

A critical difference between me and the other candidates is that I am a political outsider, a regular person and business owner, and an independent thinker. Three of my opponents already work for the city, two of those work for higher level politicians in the state, so I am entering the position as a business person willing to ask tough questions without any party or government pressure.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency):

During my campaign, I have actually spoken to hundreds of Agoura Hills voters who, regardless of political party, are very frustrated that their voices weren't heard about the development planned for Kanan. We all know how congested Kanan is in the mornings and afternoons already during school days, and there is concern about adding an influx of housing to that part of our small city.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Issues that are important to the voters of Agoura Hills are also important to me. Those big issues right now are water resources, emergency readiness, and overbuilding in our city on main corridors.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My whole life has prepared me to be in public service. I grew up very poor on food stamps and through hard work, taking chances, and perseverance I came out the other side. I am able to understand and balance the needs of different points of view and places in life. I own my own real estate business and have created jobs and managed employees, schedules and payroll. I am running for Agoura Hills City Council to keep our city clean, safe and prosperous. As I have in my life, I will take time to listen to and understand all points of view, and work to bridge any gaps for the betterment of our city.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I've learned many lessons from growing up poor with my younger brother and single mother, and received a lot of great insight and advice from the successful business people that I worked with. Some of the best and memorable advice I've received has been through my study of Kenpo Karate and Brazilian Jiu Jistu. One thing my Kenpo Karate Sensei Emanuel Jefferson (aka "Skewee") always said during our training was: "How you do anything is how you do everything." I still apply that advice today, and share that wisdom with my four kids.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am open minded and a dynamic leader dedicated to Agoura Hills and its future. If you have any questions about me, my campaign, and my plans when elected to City Council, please call me at (310) 906-5459 or visit my website at www.davidbramante.com.