By Jorge Casuso

July 30, 2024 -- Councilmember Christine Parra's surprise entry into the November race has swiftly shifted the dynamics of what promises to be a hotly contested election for four open Council seats.

While Parra's candidacy ups the chances that the Council's Change faction can hang on to a one-vote majority with all three incumbents in the race, it could also act to further splinter the vote of residents who support tougher law enforcement policies.

What's more, they are gathering signatures on nominating petitions to qualify for the ballot that will likely be submitted before the Police and Firefighters unions, and at least three other pro-law enforcement groups, announce their endorsements.

"I think (Parra's candidacy) changes things a lot," said Brock, who heads the Change slate that is seeking re-election after being swept into office by a voter revolt in 2020.

"She's really popular in the city," Brock said. "She's not outspoken, but when she speaks, she always speaks up for the residents."

Brock said the Change slate is "talking to four other people" that include Manju Raman, a member of the City's Public Safety Reform Oversight Commission, and Janet McLaughlin, a journalist who started Santa Monicans against Crime (SMaC), a public Facebook group with 1,200 members.

The other two candidates being considered -- political newcomers John Putnam and Dr. Vivian A. Roknian -- have been poised to receive the backing of Santa Monicans United (SMU), a newly formed group focused on public safety ("New Group Formed to Fight City Hall," January 12, 2024).

De la Torre, who like Parra and Brock is running for a second four-year term, worries that too many candidates running with the same platform "could dilute the vote."

"It's important for people to consider what it is they want to accomplish," he said but notes that "we really can't control that. People running for office is a personal decision."

Better to have too many candidates, de la Torre said, than not enough, which is the case in the races for Rent Board, School Board and College Board, where a total of 10 candidates are vying for 8 open seats.

"I prefer more people running, than no one running," de la Torre said. "That's a bigger problem for democracy than 18 people running."

While the Change slate has yet to recruit a fourth member and candidates await the endorsements of the City's public safety unions, Santa Monicans United, the local Blue Wave Dem Club and the newly formed Hospitality Santa Monica, their opponents formed a united front more than a month ago.

The cornerstones of the city's political establishment -- Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR) and the local Democratic Club -- held their conventions at record early dates and easily picked the same four candidates ("Major Political Establishment Groups to Field United Council Slate," June 27, 2024).

Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) and Santa Monica Forward also backed the same slate ("CEPS Kicks Off Early Election Season," June 4, 2024).

As a result, College Trustee Barry Snell, Planning Commissioner Ellis Raskin, Natalya Zernitskaya and Pier Corporation Board Chair Dan Hall have been in full campaign mode for weeks.

The slate must win two seats to regain the Council majority after a divided slate in 2022 cost them a sweep in the race for three seats ("Dem Club Membership Breaks with Tradition in 'Surprising Upset,'" September 30, 2022).

Councilmember Gleam Davis, who has been reelected with the political establishment's backing since being appointed to the Council in 2009, has said she will not run in November.

The political establishment's hopes of avoiding another split at the polls were clouded by Rent Board Chair Erika Lesley's entry into the race after failing to win the backing of SMRR and the Dem Club.

As of Tuesday, 18 candidates had pulled nomination papers from the City Clerk, including the seven candidates vying for the public-safety centered vote and the five seeking the political establishment vote.

The remaining six candidates are Marcus Owens, who sought the Dem Club's endorsement; Whitney Bain, a pro law-enforcement candidate who ran two years ago; Nathaniel Jones, who ran in 2020; Jonathan Mann, who is making a record 17th run for Council; Wade Kelley, and Stephen Garr.

The nomination period for City Council will be extended to August 14 if an incumbent does not file. Prospective candidates have until August 9 to withdraw.

To qualify for the ballot, candidates must have at least 100 valid signatures from registered Santa Monica voters. A $25 filing fee must be paid at the time petitions and forms are filed.

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.