Club endorsements are aligned with other progressive organizations.

SANTA MONICA, CA – Last night, the Santa Monica Democratic Club concluded its endorsement process for local races, endorsing Dan Hall, Ellis Raskin, Barry Snell, and Natalya Zernitskaya for City Council by a wide margin in what is expected to be a hotly contended race this November. The Club also endorsed Kay Ambriz and Phillis Dudick for Rent Control Board; Jon Kean, Maria Leon-Vazquez, and Jennifer Smith for SMMUSD Board of Education; and Anastasia Foster, Margaret Quiñones-Perez, and Rob Rader for SMC Board of Trustees.

The Club conducted its endorsement process – consisting of written questionnaires, video interviews, and live debates in front of the membership – months earlier than recent cycles in an attempt to best position its candidates to be successful. “In the past, we endorsed in September, meaning it was too late for our candidates to effectively use our endorsement to help them get support with the broader electorate,” said Club President Jon Katz. “This year, we hope the early endorsement will help to consolidate the field and unify liberal, progressive, and Democratic voters in Santa Monica around our slate of candidates.”

In 2022, most progressive organizations backed Councilmembers Caroline Torosis and Jesse Zwick but were split between Zernitskaya, the Democratic Club’s choice, and Raskin, the choice of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights. That November, Torosis, and Zwick won council seats by a wide margin while Zernitskaya and Raskin predictably split the progressive vote, allowing for appointed Councilmember Lana Negrete to eke into the third council spot. This year, all of the major progressive organizations are aligning behind this same team of four Council candidates, which they hope will lead to a successful outcome in the Council election.

Incumbent Councilmembers Christine Parra, Oscar de la Torre, and Mayor Phil Brock are widely expected to run for re-election, while Councilmember Gleam Davis has announced her retirement. The Santa Monica Democratic Club has often found itself on opposing sides from Brock, Parra, and de la Torre on crucial local issues such as housing, mobility, tenants’ rights, workers’ rights, and LGBTQ rights.