By Jorge Casuso

August 12, 2024 -- The November race for four open City Council seats remains murky after four staunch law enforcement candidates, including two incumbents, qualified for the ballot Monday.

Mayor Phil Brock and Councilmember Oscar de la Torre, who are heading a Change slate focused on fighting crime, are expected to pick at least one running mate before Wednesday's 5:30 filing deadline.

Among the narrowing field of choices are Dr. Vivian A. Roknian, an oral surgeon, and John Putnam, a fashion industry executive. Both qualified for the ballot on Monday.

The two candidates have the backing of Santa Monicans United (SMU), a newly formed group focused on public safety that boasts the support, and spending power, of local businesses ("New Group Formed to Fight City Hall," January 12, 2024).

While the incumbents are expected to pick Roknian as a running mate, it remains unclear who will round out the slate after incumbent Christine Parra announced on Friday she would not seek a second term ("Parra Pulls Out of Council Race," August 9, 2024).

Also withdrawing from the race was Manju Raman, a member of the City's Public Safety Reform Oversight Commission, who was running on a law and order platform.

That leaves two candidates in addition to Putnam vying to round out the Change slate -- Janet McLaughlin, a journalist who started Santa Monicans against Crime (SMaC), and John Cyrus Smith, a member of the City's Recreation and Parks Commission, who ran for Council in 2012.

Neither of the two prospective candidates have submitted their nominating petitions, which require the valid signatures of at least 100 Santa Monica voters.

"We're waiting to see how the cards are dealt," Brock said Monday evening.

The pro-law-enforcement candidates will face a stiff challenge from four candidates who have qualified for the ballot and have the backing of the city's political establishment ("Major Political Establishment Groups to Field United Council Slate," June 27, 2024).

The slate composed of College Trustee Barry Snell, Planning Commissioner Ellis Raskin, Natalya Zernitskaya and Pier Corporation Board Chair Dan Hall must pick up two seats on November 5 to regain control of the Council.

Rent Board Chair Erika Lesley, who entered the race after failing to win the backing of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) and the local Democratic Club, submitted her nominating petitions on Thursday.

Also submitting petitions to the City Clerk last week was Marcus Owens, who sought the Dem Club's endorsement.

Of the 21 Council hopefuls who pulled nomination papers, seven had not returned signed petitions to the City Clerk on Monday, and four are no longer in the running.

Candidates who qualified or submitted nominating petitions had until last Friday to withdraw from the race. The remaining candidates must submit their signed petitions by the end of the working day Wednesday.

Those who wish to have a Candidate Statement included in the Sample Ballot, must pay a $1,100 fee at the time of filing.

The LA County Registrar will begin mailing Vote by Mail ballots to voters on October 7. The last day to register to vote is October 21. Election Day is November 5.