Dr. Suja Lowenthal is an urban planner elected to represent the Second District in 2006. She was reelected in 2008 and 2012. In 2014, she was elected by her colleagues to serve as Vice Mayor and previously served in this role from 2010 – 2012. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from UCLA, a Master's in Business Administration from California State University, Los Angeles and a Doctorate in Policy, Planning and Development from USC. Prior to being elected to the Long Beach City Council, Suja served on the Board of Education in Long Beach Unified School. Her professional background includes over 15 years of experience in the water industry. She served as an alternate on the California Coastal Commission and currently represents Long Beach on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, a consortium of 26 cities and water districts responsible for providing high quality and reliable drinking water to nearly 18 million in Los Angeles and surrounding counties. Suja also serves on the board of Heal the Bay. Currently, she serves in a management capacity at the City of Santa Monica’s transit agency, the Big Blue Bus.

Suja has combined her experience in the community and on the school board with her education in business and planning to address issues such as parking, public safety, water quality and commercial development through sustainable, long-term policies. She has provided the political will and leadership to advance the City’s award-winning bicycle-friendly agenda, progressive strategies in animal care services and green policies involving plastic bags, recycling, stormwater runoff and alternative forms of energy.