By Jorge Casuso

July 27, 2010 – Leaving his options open, incumbent Bob Holbrook pulled papers Tuesday to run for a two-year seat on the Santa Monica City Council. Holbrook had already pulled papers to run for a sixth four-year term in the race for three open seats.

The option would allow Holbrook to run together with Council member Bobby Shriver in the 2012 race for four council seats if the Kennedy family member chooses to seek a third term.

“I would rather be on the council cycle of four people being elected,” Holbrook told the Lookout. “I could run with Bobby, and that could be a lot of fun, though I don’t know what Bobby is thinking.”

Running for a two-year seat would pit him in a race against incumbents Gleam Davis and Terry O’Day, candidates appointed to the council who Holbrook defeated handily in 2006.

“The two-year term intrigues me,” Holbrook said. “I believe I can win again.”

Rent Control Board Member Robert Kronovet, who on Tuesday became the first council candidate to submit his nominating papers, said he would welcome Holbrook’s decision to join the race for a two-year term.

“I think it’s great,” said Kronovet, who pulled the biggest upset in Santa Monica history when he became the first candidate to win a seat on the rent board without the backing of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR)

“I don’t know if it’s gonna hurt or help, but Bob Holbrook is a good man,” Kronovet said. “We’re gonna win no matter what.”

Like Holbrook, Ted Winterer, who finished fifth in the 2008 race for four council seats, pulled nominating papers for both the two and four year seats.

Sources have told The Lookout that he is leaning toward joining incumbents Pam O’Connor and Kevin McKeown in the race for three open four-year seats.

Winterer, who narrowly failed to win the SMRR endorsement in 2008, is expected to seek the backing of the powerful tenant’s group at their convention next month.

“The two-year term intrigues me. I believe I can win again.”    
    Bob Holbrook

“I don’t know if it’s gonna hurt or help, but Bob Holbrook is a good man. We’re gonna win no matter what.”
    Robert Kronovet