By Jorge Casuso

July 14, 2010 -- In a move that could change the dynamics of the November 2 race for City Council, Oscar de la Torre announced Tuesday he would not run for one of five open seats.

Instead, de la Torre, who heads the Pico Youth and Family Center, will run for a third term on the School Board. Had he been elected to the council, de la Torre would have been only the second Latino in Santa Monica history to serve on the dais.

De la Torre, whose second son, Fidel, was born this year, cited personal reasons for his decision, as well as the need to help steer the beleaguered School District through dire financial straits.

"As a lifelong resident of the City, I love Santa Monica and the Council can benefit from my experience in governance, but family matters come first," de la Torre wrote in a press release.

"On May 18, 2010 my wife Maria and I welcomed our second son Fidel Esteban into our humble apartment. As many parents can understand, the added responsibilities of fatherhood weighed heavily in my decision."

De la Torre has been a behind-the-scenes broker during recent annual conventions of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights (SMRR), not only winning the powerful tenant group's endorsement for School Board, but helping to shape the council slate.

In addition to new family responsibilities, his loyalty to the cash-strapped School District weighed heavily in his decision, de la Torre said.

"I could not in good conscious abandon the school district during the largest fiscal crisis we have suffered in recent memory," de la Torre wrote.

"When I was elected in 2002, we faced a similar circumstance and I believe that my experience and leadership will benefit the school district in the years to come."

"As a lifelong resident of the City, I love Santa Monica and the Council can benefit from my experience in governance, but family matters come first,"
    Oscar de la Torre