Councilwoman Gleam Davis has said she will not seek reelection this year opening up the always competitive City Council race to at least one new face.
Four council seats are up for election this year. They are currently held by Davis, Mayor Phil Brock, Oscar de la Torre and Christine Parra.
While Davis is out of the race, the other three said they have not decided if they are running again.
“The City of Santa Monica continues to need resident-focused leadership to increase public safety, support for renters, homeowners & local businesses alike.” said de la Torre. “That being said, I haven’t decided if I will run for office. After serving 18 years on the SMMUSD Board of Education and four on the SM City Council I have to assess if I can continue to make the sacrifices that are required and the impact this has on my family, my business and well being.”
Davis has served on the council since 2009 when it selected her to fill the seat left vacant by the passing of Herb Katz and was elected to an additional two-year term in 2010. She was re-elected in 2012, 2016 and 2020. At the time of her initial appointment, Davis was a member of the Santa Monica Planning Commission and was the Co-Chair of Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights.
Davis was the only councilmember to retain their seat in 2020 when riots and looting drove an anti-incumbency movement that brought Parra, de la Torre and Brock into office. Her most recent stint as Mayor was in 2023.
Santa Monica councilmembers are limited to 12 years (three terms of four years each) over the course of their lifetime after voters instituted term limits in 2018. However, the count on years in office was not retroactive, meaning Davis could have continued to seek office for two more terms.
“I decided several months ago not to run,” she said. “A number of outstanding individuals let me know they were interested in running and I felt like it was an opportunity to pass the baton to a new generation of leaders.”
City Council elections traditionally draw far more candidates than available seats. There were 12 candidates for three seats in 2022 and 21 candidates for the four seats available in 2020. While incumbents did lose in 2020, such losses are incredibly rare in local races and an open seat can draw more candidates into a race as it is easier to fill an already vacant seat rather than defeat an entrenched councilmember.
While individuals are already stating their intent to run for office, no one can actually become a candidate for several more weeks.
According to the City Clerk’s office, candidates may be nominated for any of the elective offices of the City only during the Nomination Period (between the 113th day and the 88th day) before a municipal election. That period will open on or about July 15.
Eligible candidates must be: 1) a United States citizen; 2) 18 years old on or before Election Day; and 3) a registered voter living in the jurisdiction at the time Nomination Papers are issued.
During the nomination process candidates must attend an educational workshop, fill out various forms, pay fees and gather 100 signatures from registered voters. While it is rare for candidates to fail to qualify for a lack of signatures, it has happened.
Upon completion of the nomination process, individuals become official candidates and will appear on the ballot. Individuals who wish to run for office after the nomination process closes have to fulfill similar requirements but are not listed on the ballot and are write-in candidates.
Santa Monicans will also elect candidates for the Rent Control Board, SMC Board and SMMUSD Board this year. The nomination process is the same for those offices as it is for City Council. For more information on running for local office, visit the Council's website.
matt@smdp.com
