SMRR 2024 Endorsements for the November 5, 2024 Election!
Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights held its 2024 Annual Membership Convention on Saturday, June 22, 2024. By vote of the membership at this meeting, the following candidates are endorsed by SMRR for elective office in Santa Monica for the November 5, 2024 election:
Santa Monica City Council:
Dan Hall – Santa Monica Pier Board member working to create safe, welcoming and economically sustainable business environment. One of the Army’s first openly gay pilots (attack pilot and commander), Dan began his service under “Don’t ask, don’t tell”. Dan is a Santa Monica renter and understands the importance of renter protections and rent control in our community. He served on the Santa Monica Democratic Club Executive Board, and he holds a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in Local Government. He believes in a safe, affordable and inclusive Santa Monica and advocates for affordable housing, public schools, better wages, and compassionate solutions to homelessness.
Ellis Raskin – Ellis is a trusted environmental attorney and an experienced community leader. Ellis is a Santa Monica renter, and committed to strengthening renters’ rights, protecting rent control, and implementing rent subsidies. He is past chair of the Santa Monica Planning Commission and has served on the SMRR Steering Committee. Ellis has the experience to protect coastal access and open space, prioritize city programs that promote sustainability and community justice, address homelessness, and make stronger investments in social services for a safe Santa Monica.
Barry Snell – Barry is a small business owner, certified public accountant, and a Santa Monica College Trustee. He has experience working in our community for public eduction, safe neighborhoods, parks and streets, and a vibrant downtown. Barry is a Santa Monica renter who will work to strengthen renter protections and protect rent control. Barry believes in keeping Santa Monica affordable, restoring public safety, and building safer infrastructure to reduce traffic congestion, protect bicyclists and pedestrians.
Natalya Zernitskaya – Natalya has served as President of the League of Women Voters and on City Council’s 2019 Audit Subcommittee. Natalya is a Pico neighborhood renter who understands the issues facing renters, and knows that rent control is vital to our community. As a financial analyst, she will work to improve the economic health of our community, enhance city fiscal responsibility, nurture our local businesses, and ensure an inclusive and sustainable community. She believes that local government must play a bigger role to ensure that our community is safe, just and sustainable.
BALLOT MEASURES AND PROPOSITIONS:
YES – Proposition 33: The Justice For Renters Act; Local control of rent control in CA
YES – Measure QS: Santa Monica School Bond
YES – Measure F: Santa Monica Business License Tax Reform for Equity and Fairness
YES – Measure K: Santa Monica Revenue for Public Safety
YES – Measure A: LA County Revenue for Affordable Housing
YES – Proposition 5: Enhances Opportunity for Housing Bonds
NO – Proposition 34: Reject Apartment Association Overreach
(PLEASE NOTE:
An extra person is on the ballot who is no longer running for School Board, so vote for Jon Kean, Maria Leon-Vazquez and Jennifer Smith.
Rent Board candidates and College Board candidates don’t appear on the ballot because there were only as many candidates as there were open seats.)
SMRR’s endorsed candidates for Rent Board, SMMUSD School Board and SMC Board of Trustees are:
Rent Control Board:
Kay Ambriz
Phillis Dudick
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education:
Jennifer Smith
Jon Kean
Maria Leon-Vazquez
Santa Monica College Board of Trustees:
Anastasia Foster
Margaret Quiñones-Perez
Rob Rader
We had a wonderful convention on June 22nd, held at John Adams Middle School. You can read local news coverage of the 2024 SMRR Convention by clicking this link and visiting Westside Voice.
Be a Volunteer with SMRR this election season!
We need you! If you are interested in volunteering with SMRR to help get the word out about our endorsed candidates and measures, please click below to fill out our volunteer sign-up! Thank you for your support!
https://forms.gle/W6EyHq9uL6JGQZDD6
Paid for by Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights (SMRR)
FPPC ID #790178
2118 Wilshire Blvd. #832, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Not authorized by a candidate or a committee controlled by a candidate.