Labor Coalition Makes Election Picks

By Cindy Frazier and Jorge Casuso

July 28 -- Granting endorsements that guarantee an army of campaign workers, a coalition of two dozen local labor supporters Monday night voted to back two incumbents and two challengers for four open seats on the City Council.

The Coalition to Support the Living Wage gave its nod to Mayor Richard Bloom and fellow Council member Ken Genser, as well as former School Board President Patricia Hoffman and Pico Neighborhood activist Maria Loya.

In a surprise move, the coalition withheld its endorsement of Council member Michael Feinstein, who had won the group’s backing in two previous elections and has been a strong supporter of labor issues. None of the other 30 council hopefuls sought the group’s endorsement.

The coalition is the political arm of Santa Monicans Allied for Responsible Tourism (SMART), which successfully lobbied the City Council three years ago to approve the nation’s first municipal living wage that covered companies with no financial ties to the City.

Designed to cover hotel workers in the city’s coastal zone, the ordinance was overturned by voters in a referendum two years ago. The group recently lobbied the council to approve an $11.50 living wage for municipal employees and firms doing business with the City. The council last month directed staff to study the issue.

Since 1996, the labor activists who make up the coalition have been a powerful force in local politics with their ability to muster troops of union members, who walk the precincts in support of pro-labor candidates and help get out the vote.

In addition, the coalition -- spearheaded by longtime leaders of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) -- has signed up more than three dozen new SMRR members, who could play an influential role when the tenants group picks a slate at its convention Sunday.

“I am very pleased,” Bloom said. “I always believe I can use all the help I can get, and I believe I have a broad coalition of supporters that has grown over the last four years.”

“I am delighted,” said candidate Patricia Hoffman of the coalition’s endorsement. “I am planning on a serious run for City Council and hope this bodes well for my election.”

Hoffman said coalition members conducted interviews of each candidate and asked specific questions -- including whether they support the living wage effort, which she does.

Feinstein, who will be seeking SMRR’s backing Sunday, said he was “disappointed but undeterred” after failing to receive the coalition’s nod.

“My unwavering commitment to improving the lives of working people speaks for itself -- and no political process will derail it,” Feinstein said.

“If Santa Monicans return me to office this fall, they can expect four more years of heartfelt social justice work from me in our community,” he said.