By Jonathan Friedman
Lookout Staff

August 2, 2010 -- There are four seats up for grabs in this year’s election for the Board of Education. But at the Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR) convention on Sunday at John Adams Middle School, only two candidates managed to collect enough votes to receive endorsements from the powerful political group.

Incumbent Barry Snell and challenger Laurie Lieberman received endorsements following the first round of voting because they earned more than the required 55 percent support from the nearly 240 voters in attendance.

Incumbents Oscar de la Torre and Ralph Mechur and challenger Nimish Patel were unable to pass the 55 percent  threshold in any of the three rounds of voting. At least two of those candidates could still receive SMRR’s backing if the Steering Committee decides to give it to them.

The committee will mee within the next two weeks to decide on this. Support from the committee means appearances in SMRR campaign literature, although the candidate could not call himself a SMRR endorsee.

Lieberman had the most vocal support during the convention. A large group applauded and cheered every time her name was called. Council member Gleam Davis, who received a SMRR endorsement for the City Council campaign, introduced Lieberman prior to her convention speech.

De la Torre said in an interview after the convention that he was somewhat surprised he and Mechur did not receive an endorsement.

“Both Ralph Mechur and I have committed a lot of hours and a lot of our time to bettering our public schools,” de la Torre said. “So it is a little surprising. But I don’t think that the traditional sort of SMRR base had a lot to do with the vote today. It seems like a different type of crowd.”

De la Torre said he heard “a certain constituency that doesn’t share SMRR’s values came out today.” Anybody can vote in the convention who joined SMRR by May 4 and paid the $25 annual membership fee. There is no screening process for membership.

De la Torre was recently under investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department for child endangerment. The District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges, and the City has ordered an independent review of the investigation, DA Drops de la Torre Investigation. He said this played a role in the SMRR vote.

“Obviously it has,” he said. “I think it’s a sad day when law enforcement influences elections.”

Patel, who is a newcomer to the political scene, said he was pleased with his performance, despite not getting the endorsement. The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Financial Oversight Committee member received the most support of the three candidates competing in the second round of voting. He placed second in the third round.

“I wanted to make it a very strong showing,” Patel said. “The fact that I’m new to SMRR and this convention process and the fact that I made it through three rounds, to me, is a victory in itself and sends a strong signal about people. They want new faces to help lead the school board for the next four years.”

Both Patel and de la Torre said it is possible to win a seat on the school board without the backing of SMRR. Currently, all seven school board members, including de la Torre, won their seats with SMRR endorsements.

"Both Ralph Mechur and I have committed a lot of hours and a lot of our time to bettering our public schools, So it is a little surprising. But I don't think that the traditional sort of SMRR base had a lot to do with the vote today. It seems like a different type of crowd."
    Oscar de la Torre