By Lookout Staff

September 4, 2026 -- After a nationwide recruitment effort, the City Council has appointed Walfred Solorzano -- who has worked in California cities for more than two decades -- as City Clerk, officials announced today.

Solorzano will join the City on September 21 as Santa Monica's elections official after serving as Interim City Clerk for the city of Lodi since July 28. He previously served as City Clerk for the city of Sausalito from December 2022 to July 2026 and as Assistant City Clerk for the City of Half Moon Bay, City officials said.

Solorzano succeeds Interim City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren, who retired from the post in 2023 and returned in January to lead the office during the search.

"Walfred has built a career within City Clerk offices throughout the state," said Mayor Caroline Torosis. "That depth of experience is what Santa Monica needs to ensure our City Clerk’s Office continues to operate smoothly and effectively.

"I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Denise for returning to manage the City Clerk’s Office while we conducted this search," Torosis said.

In addition to elections official, the City Clerk is the Political Reform Act filing officer, and compliance officer for the Brown Act and the Public Records Act, officials noted.

The City Clerk's Office prepares City Council Agendas and records Council proceedings, manages the city's records and public records requests, runs the Boards and Commissions appointment process, and accepts passport applications.

"I’ve spent more than 20 years in government, and I still believe in the deeply human business of public service," Solorzano said in a statement. "Local government matters because this is where democracy becomes accessible to everybody.

“Being selected as Santa Monica’s City Clerk feels like both a homecoming and a new adventure," Solorzano said. "I’m excited to bring my experience and energy to the job, and to serve a city and community that has never been afraid to have a personality of its own.”

Solorzano, who has a bachelor's degree from Azusa Pacific University, was presented in 2021 with the City Clerks Association of California's Special Award of Distinction for communications, organization and administration.