Henry Lo

Henry’s history of public service spans over 20 years. In March of 2020, he was elected to the Monterey Park City Council, District 4, and made history as the City of Monterey Park’s first openly gay Councilmember. Henry served as Mayor for the City of Monterey Park from December 2021 to January 2023 and led his city through the aftermath of the January 21, 2023 mass shooting at the Star Ballroom. Previously, Henry served from 2003 to 2020 on the Garvey Elementary School District Board of Education. As a Boardmember, he co-founded the Garvey Education Foundation, which has raised community support for the schools in the district since its founding in 2007. As a proponent of creating collaborative relationships between public agencies, Henry’s leadership helped to create an academic partnership between the Garvey Elementary School District and East Los Angeles College. Between 2016 and 2020, Henry was an appointed member of the City of Monterey Park Economic Development Advisory Commission in which he and his fellow commissioners provided input on how to improve the city’s economic climate. Since 1999, Henry has been an advocate for our communities to the State of California having served as staff for several of the San Gabriel Valley’s state legislators including State Senator Dr. Gloria Romero, State Assemblymember Mike Eng, and State Assemblymember Ed Chau. Currently, Henry works at the State Assembly Democratic Office of Communications and Outreach. Henry’s community involvement also spans his interest in civic affairs and progressive politics. He was an elected delegate to the Los Angeles County Democratic Party from 2007 to 2020. Henry also served on the Boards of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Los Angeles Lodge; OCA-GLA; the Gay Asian Pacific Support Network (GAPSN); and, Asian Pacific Islanders for Human Rights (APIHR). Henry has received recognitions from the Stonewall Democratic Club as their 2023 Elected Official of the Year; Asian Pacific American Bar Association 2023 Public Service Award; Los Angeles County Democratic Party as the Pat Eastman 2020 Democrat of Year and 2010 Democrat of the Year, representing the 49th District; the Garvey Education Foundation for their 2017 Pioneer of Education Innovation Award; APIEquality LA for their 2017 Trailblazer Award; Stonewall Young Democrats for their 2016 Hero Award; the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association for their 2015 Outstanding Youth Award; and, ChineseAmerican Citizens’ Alliance, Los Angeles Lodge, as a 2008 “Public Service” Awardee. Henry is the son of working-class immigrants who came to California seeking the American Dream. He grew up as a latchkey kid while both his parents worked and was the first in his family to attend college. Henry received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government from Colby College, and a Master in Public Administration Degree from the California State University, Northridge.