City Council

McKeown Critic in TV Ad Claims His Views Were Misrepresented
October 27 -- A man featured in a widely broadcast political ad urging voters to oust Council member Kevin McKeown said he voted for the two-term council member and his views were misrepresented.

Billboard Challenge Focuses Spotlight on Finance Law
October 26 -- Tucked along the City’s tree-canopied industrial corridor, a billboard heralding that Santa Monica is “for sale by City Council” is taking on an increasingly high profile.

Council Incumbents Work to Abide by Letter of the Law
October 26 – Mayor Bob Holbrook spent much of Wednesday poring over a table full of documents making sure he wasn’t violating a campaign law that is at the center of a brewing controversy.

Hotel TV Ads Hit McKeown
October 25
– The company that owns two luxury beachfront hotels has taken the unprecedented step of targeting a local City Council candidate in a series of hard-hitting ads airing on cable television.

Hotel Owner Makes Campaign to Oust McKeown Personal
October 23 -- Reversing years of campaign tactics, a prominent hotel owner is trying a personal touch to sway voters to eject Council member Kevin McKeown from the City Council.

Holbrook, O’Day Lead Fundraising Race
October 10 -- Two candidates looking to erase a Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) one-vote majority on the City Council are raising and spending the most money in the November race for three open seats, amassing more than $50,000 each.

Education Group Weighs in on Local Races
October 4 -- An influential education group this week graded the top City Council candidates, but made no further endorsements, rounding out the list of local unions, clubs and organizations weighing in on Novembers’ hotly contested race for three open council seats.

Dem Club Endorses McKeown, Davis
September 12 -- In what some described as a referendum on the hot button issue of development, incumbent City Council member Kevin McKeown and newcomer Gleam Davis captured the backing last week of the newly beefed up Santa Monica Democratic Club in the November race for three council seats.

Placing Importance on the Ballot
September 7 – If the races for City Council and College and School boards prove to be as tight as some predict, Terry O’Day, Nancy Greenstein and Oscar de la Torre may have a leg up on the other contenders.

“Education Groups” Weigh in on Politics
August 30 -- Headlined “News Update,” a high-gloss “newsletter” critical of several candidates’ stances on local issues is landing in Santa Monica mailboxes just two months before local voters head to the polls.

Ten Council Candidates Make Final Cut; Express Views
August 21 -- The field of candidates in the race for three City Council seats has been winnowed down to a final ten, including the three incumbents, as well as two challengers who have made unsuccessful bids in the past.

Chamber Backs Holbrook, O’Day for Council
August 17 -- The Chamber of Commerce will back four-time incumbent Mayor Bob Holbrook and Planning Commissioner Terry O’Day for two of three open City Council seats in November in what promises to be a different kind of campaign for the vocal business group, chamber officials said Wednesday.

McKeown, Davis, O’Connor Win SMRR Nod for Council
August 7 -- Despite continued infighting, members of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) unified Sunday to back three potential candidates for each open City Council seat in an election that could make or break SMRR’s control over City Hall.

SMRR Convention Could Be Fractious
August 2 -- A few days before Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) picks a City Council slate it hopes will retain control of City government, there are fissures forming in the powerful tenant groups’ ranks.

Group Urges No Vote on O’Connor
August 3 -- With a well-timed assault on City Council member Pam O’Connor, the group widely credited with blocking an ambitious plan to redevelop Santa Monica Place may be looking to knock the three-time incumbent from the Santa Monica for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) slate and ultimately from public office.

SMRR Slate Practically Set Months Before Election
July 28 -- For the first time in more than two decades, there may be no battle needed to win the Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) endorsement for City Council.

McKeown Subject of Pre-campaign Battle
July 18 – When City Council member Kevin McKeown officially announced his reelection bid last week, his supporters and foes were already waging a heated campaign battle.

CEPS Makes Early Council Endorsement
July 12 -- City Council candidates haven’t filed their papers yet, but the Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) isn’t waiting for a full field of candidates to make a choice.