A vocal member of the Santa Monica City Council, Kevin McKeown will be honored by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party as its 2013 Democrat of the Year in the 50th Assembly District. McKeown will be recognized with this honor Sunday evening at the County Democratic Club’s Roosevelt Dinner.
Also honored alongside McKeown will be Melissa Grant of Pacific Palisades who also represents within the 50th Assembly District.
McKeown was named Democrat of the Year for the second time since 2010 “for his activism and embodiment of Democratic values,” the County Democratic Club stated in a release.
“Council member McKeown is well known for his commitment to a living wage, affordable housing, transparency, open space, environmental needs, single payer health insurance and numerous other concerns of the local community, such as the Santa Monica Airport and the impacts of development,” the statement continued.
After the County Democratic Club made the announcement, McKeown told The Mirror in an email he was humbled by the honor.
“Democratic values of social justice and affordable housing sometimes play out most personally at the local level, and I’m privileged to make a small difference as a Santa Monica City Councilmember,” McKeown said. “I deeply appreciate the recognition from the Democratic Party, but what means the most to me is the support of residents who know I’m there for them.”
Congressman Henry Waxman, who represents Santa Monica in Washington, D.C., commended McKeown on his contributions as a council member.
“I am delighted to congratulate Kevin on his receipt of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party Democrat of the Year Award. During his four terms as a Santa Monica City Council Member, Kevin has established himself as a strong progressive who embodies Democratic Party principles,” Waxman said in a statement. “Kevin is well respected as a leader on homelessness, affordable housing, and environmental protection. It is my pleasure to have worked with Kevin on issues important to the residents of Santa Monica, including the airport, safety, and sustainability.”
The County Democratic Club added McKeown was worthy of the honor in light of his “dedication to addressing the concerns of the community and his willingness to promote progressive solutions to local and regional issues.”
The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner, as it is formally called, is hosted annually by the County Democratic Party to honor grassroots activists in each Assembly District. This year’s event will be held Oct. 20 from 6 pm to 10 pm at the LAX Sheraton Gateway Hotel.
McKeown has served on the Santa Monica City Council since 1998 and is currently serving his fourth term. Only Bob Holbrook and Pam O’Connor have served longer.
When he was honored as Democrat of the Year in 2010, Santa Monica was in the 41st Assembly District. McKeown has been a vocal advocate of affordable housing for many development issues that have come onto the dais.
Former Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom represents the 50th Assembly District in Sacramento.
For more information on the County Democratic Club, visit its website at www.lacdp.org.
