LA Political Roast

Since its inception in 1998, The Los Angeles Political Roast has emerged as a Los Angeles tradition for the Southern California business and political communities. The Roast has consistently been the largest fundraiser of the year for the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Los Angeles Headquarters

523 W 6th Street
Suite 1002
Los Angeles, CA  90014
213.623.3736

New York City Office

200 East 66th Street
Suite D 1605
New York, New York 90065

When Arnie Berghoff’s daughter Laura was four years old, she was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. Ten years later, written down on the back of a napkin, Arnie came up with a unique idea – a political roast that could double as a fundraiser for diabetes. Arnie asked Harvey Englander and Mitch Englander to be Co-chairs of the first Los Angeles Political Roast in 1998. It has been held every year since as a benefit for the ADA and has consistently been a sold out event!

For one night, the Roast brings together over 1,000 individuals from the world of politics, philanthropy and business to roast a Los Angeles city or county leader and poke fun at colleagues. People put rancorous, partisan politics aside and join together in the effort to find a cure for diabetes.

Public Officials roasted:

1998 – City Council President John Ferraro
1999 – County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky
2000 – City Councilmember Hal Bernson
2001 – County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke
2002 – Mayor Jim Hahn
2003 – County Supervisor Don Knabe
2004 – City Council President Alex Padilla
2005 – Sheriff Lee Baca
2006 – Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
2007 – LAPD Chief Bill Bratton
2008 – County Supervisor Gloria Molina
2009 – City Councilmember Wendy Gruel
2010 – District Attorney Steve Cooley
2011 – City Councilmember Dennis Zine
2012 – City Council President Herb Wesson
2013 – City Councilmember Tom LaBonge
2014 – City Councilmember Paul Koretz
2015 – City Councilmember Mike Bonin
2016 – City Councilmember Joe Buscaino
2017 – Sheriff Jim McDonnell
2018 – City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield
2019 – City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell
2020 – COVID Hiatus
2021 – LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger
2023 – City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson

All proceeds benefit the L.A. Chapter of the American Diabetes Association.

Media Coverage of the Los Angeles Political Roast:

LA Weekly
March 25, 2011
Here Are Some Jokes About Dennis Zine

LA Observed
March 25, 2011
Zine the Target of This Year’s L.A. Political Roast

LA Daily News
March 24, 2011
City Councilman Dennis Zine Is Stripped to the Bone for a Good Cause

KCBS Los Angeles
February 10, 2011
People to Watch: Arnie Berghoff (see video below)

LA Observed
April 3, 2008
Inside the VIP Room

LA Observed
March 15, 2007
Donuts at a Diabetes Roast?

Los Angeles Times
March 18, 2006
At Villaraigosa Roast, Ribs Are Well Done

LA Observed
March 16, 2006
Roasted Villaraigosa

Los Angeles Times
March 6, 2006
A Roast, With a Side of Access

LA Weekly
March 24, 2004
In the Lap of Lobbyists

Start typing and press Enter to search