WOODLAND HILLS, LOS ANGELES – A black grand piano glimmers in the house where Bruce Schanche grew up. Grey stone walls and an outdoor pool complement the light brown hardwood floors. The retired financial planner opens his home on Sep. 30th for Tim Gaspar, a former insurance salesman who wants to represent District 3 as City Councilman. A black-and-white Aussiedoodle trots across the living room, vying for a glimpse of attention as well.
Gaspar arrives looking sharp, dressed in a suit and tie, and addresses 15 people at the meet-and-greet. Following the advice he offered in his book, The Biggest Leap, which he self-published in 2023.
“Dress like someone who is serious about what they do. For me, at least, putting on even just slacks and a dress shirt literally makes me feel more capable as a businessperson,” Gaspar writes in the tome.
Gaspar is the previous owner of a multi-million dollar company. Founding his business in 2008, he sold it for almost $30 million, according to his book.
“Not bad for a guy that was bankrupt at age 20,” he writes. Gaspar’s stepfather, Ed, sold insurance, did well, and inspired the City Council candidate to eventually do the same.
His stepfather, Ed, paid his way out of court. The entrepreneur admired his lifestyle and took note.
“As Ed’s career progressed, the houses got bigger; and there were more cars, boats, and trips. I saw that insurance must be a good business if Ed could provide this comfortable lifestyle,” Gaspar writes.
But now, the businessman is taking a new leap into politics. Bob Blumenfield, the current representative of District 3 whose term has run out, has endorsed him. The district includes Woodland Hills, Canoga Park, Reseda, Winnetka, and Tarzana.
Running a successful insurance firm and serving as the voice of thousands of Angelenos comes with many responsibilities and constituencies.
“You’re not a leader unless people are willing to follow you,” Gaspar says in an interview. He said his “private-sector” perspective is what Los Angeles needs as he outlined his four priorities for City Hall: public safety, homelessness, small business support, and youth investment.
As night falls outside, two interns finish greeting guests through the bright red doors, while inside, conversations about the district’s future begin.
Schachne grew up in the same house where he hosted Gaspar. Schachne says public safety is one of his main concerns as a resident, explaining that the neighborhood has changed since his childhood in the 1970s.
“I want my family to be safe, and there have been some incidents where people have tried to break into my house in the last couple of years. That didn’t happen when I was a kid,” said Schachne.
Gaspar has proposed increasing city police staffing to 10,000 officers, a level not seen since 2020, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Gaspar says he supports “the broken window theory,” which holds that small crimes or blight in a community pave the way for more serious crime.
“If you let small laws not get enforced, those eventually lead to bigger issues. And so we need to pay attention to the small stuff,” Gaspar said.
In the June primary, Gaspar won 46% of the vote, compared with opponent Barri Worth Girvan, who got 42%. In the months since, Gaspar has outraised Worth Girvan, collecting $180,000 in donations to her $31,000, according to The Los Angeles Times.
“In my case, I had to be an entrepreneur. It was and is my identity,” Gaspar writes in The Biggest Leap. He describes the financial freedom in his field, which provides him with an income on “an island somewhere.”
Gaspar’s business background has attracted support from high-profile figures and companies. Billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso contributed to his campaign, alongside Uber and Airbnb. Gaspar says 85% to 90% of his direct campaign contributors were individuals, including friends and family.
In Schachne’s dining room, an attendee raises concerns about campaign contributions from Airbnb, asking if this financial support could influence Gaspar’s decision-making if elected, proposing the ongoing problems with short-term rentals in the neighborhood, and noise complaints from neighbors.
“Anybody who thinks they’re going to give me a contribution, and then somehow be able to dictate how I make decisions and who I prioritize, is sorely mistaken. Because I just don’t care,” said Gaspar.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Aug. 17, 2026, that Nicolette Velasquez, Airbnb spokesperson, identified Gaspar as a candidate who supports short-term rentals.
In a separate April report, the Times reported that Mayor Karen Bass and her proposal to allow homeowners to rent out their second properties for short-term stays. Right now, residents can only rent out their primary houses for up to 120 days.
“In regard to being able to dictate the decisions that I make, or allowing more Airbnbs in a neighborhood, no way,” Gaspar said.
It remains unclear whether Gaspar supports Airbnb rentals in District 3.
The Aussiedoodle makes his rounds throughout the dimly lit house once more, sitting quietly for treats, as questions and answers wrap up. Gaspar’s supporters and skeptics slowly make their way out of the house, mingling. Whether Gaspar won them over will be determined on November 3rd.
