Post-Election Statement from Santa Monicans for Sensible Priorities

Santa Monicans for Sensible Priorities is pleased with the election results.

We knew from our polling that the incumbents had a significant advantage. And our priority was always to support Mayor Bob Holbrook and try to get Mr. Terry O’Day elected.

We are excited, that one of the two candidates we supported openly -- Holbrook -- won reelection. We were always hoping to have both Terry O'Day and Bob Holbrook elected, but we are happy that after a stream of attacks -- including six extremely vicious direct pieces of mail attacking Mr. Holbrook and Mr. O’Day, one as late as Tuesday morning, from SMRR-- we were able to assist in Holbrook’s re-election.

We also had success with our efforts to also support Council member Pam O’Conner, because we have and will work collectively with her. We chose to quietly support her by encouraging our members to donate to her campaign despite our contentious relationship with SMRR.

We believe that helping Mr. O’Day come from absolute “zero” name recognition to beating the third SMRR candidate handily is a great victory for continued change in our community

Lastly, we regret having had to respond to the negative attacks of SMRR with our own negative campaign, and hope that future campaigns will not require such activities. It is important to remember that 80 percent of our campaign was a “POSITIVE” effort on behalf of Mr. O’Day and Mr. Holbrook. And it paid off.

We look forward to working with the entire council.

Seth Jacobson