12 Candidate Vying for 3 Seats on Santa Monica City Council

Councilmember Lana Negrete along with three Santa Monica commissioners and 8 other candidates have qualified for the City Council election ballot this November.

All 12 candidates submitted their papers before last week's filing deadline and are now vying for three open seats on the Council that formulates policies for the city, election officials said.

Negrete is the only incumbent seeking re-election. Mayor Sue Himmelrich and Mayor Pro-Tem Kristin McCowan announced over the summer they would not be running for another term.

The list of candidates includes environmental attorney and Planning Commissioner Ellis Raskin; consumer protection attorney and Rent Control Board member Caroline Torosis; and business advisor and Recreation and Parks Commissioner Albin Gielicz, according to the City Clerk's Office.

The other 8 challengers are journalist Whitney Bain; public policy advisor Jesse Zwick; businessman and author Troy Harris; tech executive and author Arthur Jeon; civil and environmental engineer Armen Melkonians; financial analyst Natalya Zernitskaya; barista and community volunteer Samantha Mota; and Jonathan Louis Mann, Navy veteran who lists his professions as parole agent, flight attendant supervisor and teacher.

This year, the City Council election will be held November 8.

More information on the Council candidates as well as other local races can be viewed at https://santamonica.gov/elections/2022-11-08