By Jorge Casuso

August 5, 2010 -- In the latest political chess move, Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) postponed making a final endorsement in the race for three four-year City Council seats.

The group's steering committee will instead wait until Friday -- the final date for candidates to submit papers -- to decide whether to endorse incumbent Pam O'Connor, who fell shot of winning SMRR's backing at its convention Sunday.

The move -- which came after an article about Wednesday's scheduled endorsement vote appeared in The Lookout -- forces SMRR foe Bob Holbrook to decide whether to seek a two-year or four-year seat before SMRR determines whether to round out the ticket.

Holbrook, who is seeking a sixth council term, has indicated he would run for a four-year term if SMRR makes no decision before the filing deadline.

"It's a chess game between Holbrook and SMRR," said Oscar de la Torre, an incumbent School Board member who is one of three School Board candidates also seeking the steering committee's nod.

"I don't know whether Ralph and I are bishops or pawns," he said, referring to incumbent Ralph Mechur.

De la Torre, Mechur and challenger Nimish Patel are all seeking the group's nod after failing to win the necessary 55 percent at the SMRR convention.

Incumbent Barry Snell and challenger Laurie Lieberman received endorsements in the race for four open School Board seats following the first round of voting Sunday.

O'Connor -- who is seeking a fifth four-year term -- needs eight votes cast by the 12-member committee to join incumbent Kevin McKeown and Planning Commissioner Ted Winterer on the SMRR ticket in the race for three four-year seats.

The group already has endorsed incumbents Gleam Davis and Terry O'Day -- who were appointed by the council after the deaths of Ken Genser and Herb Katz -- in the race for two two-year council seats.

SMRR Co-chair Patricia Hoffman declined to comment on Wednesday's steering committee meeting. Asked if the endorsement votes had been postponed, Hoffman said, "There's nothing to report.

"There's nothing I can tell you right now," she added. "Sorry. I'd like to talk to you, but can't say anything right now."

Candidates have until 5 p.m. Friday to submit their nominating petitions to the City Clerk.

Council candidates must have the valid signatures of 100 Santa Monica voters, while School Board candidates need the valid signatures of 100 Santa Monica or Malibu voters.