Phil Jennerjahn is an entertainer who has spent the last several years writing and editing scripts.
He served in the military after finishing high school, and then obtained a degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin before moving to Los Angeles in 1993.
He has worked in several jobs in Los Angeles including those in sales, teaching, transportation, tourism, government work (for the 2000 Census) and real estate.
In 2008 he worked as a precinct captain for the McCain campaign in the 42nd Assembly District.
Jennerjahn attended but did not graduate from law school.
Daily Bruin: Why are you running for mayor?
Phil Jennerjahn: I want to be a leader in this city and take it in a different direction.
I’m a conservative and I think the way the city has been taking citizens’ money is extremely destructive.
They continue to find new and creative ways to take your money. I want people to be able to keep their money.
DB: What are the most important issues facing Los Angeles right now and how will you address them?
PJ: Illegal immigration. I want to launch a crackdown on immigration and deport all illegal immigrants.
They are creating an unnecessary financial burden on Los Angeles.
Also, the city taxes its citizens too much and it does not balance the budget.
Trash fees and department of water and power bills are astronomical.
Parking meters now cost $4 instead of $1; this hurts businesses.
All of these taxes and fees should be lowered.
DB: How has Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa addressed or not addressed these problems?
PJ: No, he continues to tax so he can have an enormous staff. He has 93 personal staff people, which is extremely unnecessary, and the people of Los Angeles are paying their salaries.
If I were elected I would reduce the city staff so citizens would not have to pay so much in taxes.
Villaraigosa says that taxing is a way to balance the budget, but this has obviously not been working.
DB: From where have you received funding, and how has this affected your campaign?
PJ: I’m paying for most of my campaign on my own, though some people have donated online.
It means I can’t afford TV commercials.
But I have appeared on some local news channels. I will be on ABC local news next week.
DB: What experience in your track record can you point to that suggests you have the leadership skills and understanding of issues necessary to be an effective mayor?
PJ: In high school, college and the military I was a leader.
I was president of my high school, elected to the student senate in college and served as a squad leader in the military.
People have always trusted my judgement. And since I live in Los Angeles, I see the issues people are facing because they affect my day to day life. I see illegal immigrants with illegal stands taking business away from people who live in this country legally.
DB: If you were to choose among the other mayoral candidates, for which would you vote, if not for yourself?
PJ: The only two other men professional and qualified enough are David Hernandez and Walter Moore.
If I had to choose between them, I would vote for David Hernandez.