Santa Monica will have three new City Councilmembers this December when the results of the recent election are certified. And while winners like Christine Parra celebrate, outgoing representatives wished to thank the community one last time before they head out to service the community as civilians.
“Ballots are still being counted, but it appears our campaign fell narrowly short,” current councilmember Terry O’Day said in an email this week.
Phil Brock leads the pack while Gleam Davis and Parra are battling it out for second. Oscar de la Torre has secured the fourth seat. Councilmembers Ted Winterer and Ana Maria Jara find themselves in fifth and sixth with 15,764 and 14,947 votes.
O’Day said Biden’s win at the top of the ticket is a salve for the nation, “and these local results... Each elected candidate will need and deserve our support as the city navigates this winter’s Covid peak, the economic fallout from Covid, the state housing crisis and Santa Monica’s appropriate role, the selection of a new police chief and its implications, and more,” he added.
Ted Winterer had similar feelings as he discussed how proud he is of the many accomplishments that occurred throughout his tenure, “including rental assistance to keep our lowest income seniors housed; increased funding for our public schools.. and much more.”
Winterer said, “I am grateful the voters of Santa Monica granted me the honor and privilege of serving our community for eight years.”
Jara could not be reached for comment this week, but O’Day shared he plans to continue to serve the community through In-Charge Energy, a fleet electrification company he co-founded. “I will also continue to engage in our local community,” he said, “albeit in a different role.”
Parra thanked Santa Monica residents for the opportunity to represent them in the coming years.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she said, adding: “This campaign was never about me, it was about giving our residents a voice, especially to those who felt left out and ignored like I did. I am excited to be stepping into this role and look forward to the great work we have ahead of us,” Parra said, “and I am extremely grateful and fortunate that I get to do this with my running mates Phil Brock and Oscar de la Torre.”
Brennon@smdp.com
