By Jorge Casuso

May 8, 2012 -- If attending City Council meetings -- which are known for their marathon length -- is the best way to prepare to run for a seat on the dais, Jerry Rubin must be the most prepared man in America.

A regular at council meetings since the early 1990s, Rubin -- who always sports a T-shirt and shorts -- has likely attended more meetings than any council member in Santa Monica history. And that's a lot, considering that Council member Bob Holbrook has been on the dais for 22 years.

Jerry Ruby, founder of Tree Hugging Day in Santa Monica, hugs a tree. (Photo by Lookout Staff)

"I've probably been to more council meetings than any council member in the City of Santa Monica," said Rubin, who will be running for one of four open seats. "The only difference is that the people up there have to stay, so it's different."

If Rubin gets on the ballot, it will mark his fifth council bid since first running in 2000. His best showing was in 2010, when he finished sixth in a field of ten candidates in the race for three council seats. In his three other bids, Rubin finished eighth, although he received more than 6,000 votes in 2008.

"I think that my chances of winning are very, very slim," Rubin said, "but I think I can do a lot of good by bringing attention to issues that don't normally get attention."

This year, Rubin plans to focus on issues that have long been on the front burner, such as traffic and the future of Santa Monica Airport, as well as saving Pulitzer-prize-winning cartoonist Paul Conrad's iconic "Chain Reaction" sculpture.

Rubin, who has been helping to spearhead the movement to save the deteriorating 26-foot-tall work at the Civic Center, says he will urge supporters to donate to the fund set up by Conrad's family.

"In the past, I haven't accepted donations," Rubin said. "But this is something that could possibly help. It's better than not doing anything."

Rubin plans to also use his campaign to champion public transportation.

"Traffic is a major issue," Rubin said. "I want to urge people to get out of their cars. We really need to work with community organizations to really encourage people to ride the Big Blue Bus, which is the best bus company in America."
  
Rubin's campaign made headlines in 2004 when the City Clerk rejected his request to use “peace activist” as a ballot designation. Rubin legally added “Peace Activist” to his name.

Rubin said he would again pledge to run a completely clean campaign and would not resort to personal attacks.

So, if his chances are slim, why is the 68-year-old activist -- who lives in the Ocean Park area with his wife Marissa and their two "cat children," Sunny and Polly -- running again.

"I'm an activist, and I consider this a part of my activism," Rubin said. "Even if I don't win, I'm still going to be attending all the council meetings.

""I'd probably still wear my shorts," Rubin added. "I don't think there's any dress code."