By Lookout Staff

April 2, 2019 -- When the next Santa Monica election rolls around Nikima “Niki” Newsome will be charged with making sure everything runs smoothly.

Newsome was tapped by City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren as Santa Monica's new Assistant Director of Records and Election Services/Assistant City Clerk.

She will assume the $151,224-a-year post on Monday, April 15.

“Niki brings extensive experience in higher education, government, and the private sector that will serve her well in this role,” Anderson-Warren said. Since June 2014, Newsome served as the township clerk, deputy registrar and purchasing agent for Mount Holly Township, New Jersey. Previously, she served as the first deputy clerk of council of the Cuyahoga County Council in Cleveland, Ohio and as a Regional Liaison for the Ohio Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner.

In her new Santa Monica role, Newsome will provide "leadership and policy guidance for the day-to-day operations of the City Clerk’s Office," City officials said.

This includes "managing elections, City Council support, and matters related to the Brown Act, Public Records Act, the Voting Rights Act, lobbyist registration, and records management," they said.

Newsome holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio and a bachelor’s degree in history from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, New Jersey.

She is a graduate of the Cleveland State University Leadership Academy at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, City officials said.

Newsome became a Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) in November 2013 and a Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) in July 2017 from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

“I couldn’t be more excited to bring my experience in government administration to the City of Santa Monica,” said Newsome.

“I look forward to hitting the ground running and working with the entire team at the City Clerk’s Office.”