In a unanimous vote at Santa Monica City Hall on Tuesday evening, Councilman Kevin McKeown was elected Mayor of Santa Monica by his fellow council members for a one-year term, with Councilman Tony Vazquez elected Mayor Pro Tempore.
The vote took place following the swearing-in ceremony of a new Santa Monica City Council with returning members former-Mayor Pam O’Connor and Councilman Kevin McKeown, and new Councilwoman Sue Himmelrich taking office.
The Council opted for a different line-up for its second year, Mayor Pro Tempore Tony Vazquez will be Mayor and Councilman Ted Winterer Mayor Pro Tempore.
Councilwoman Sue Himmelrich made the nominations and said that all three elected office bearers will do a great job.
“I have to say that I agree with many of the people who have talked about Kevin’s long service and I think it would be great. I have worked with Ted and Tony and Kevin…and I think that Kevin is way due for this,” Councilwoman Himmelrich said.
Mayor Pro Tempore Tony Vazquez will be the first Latino to hold the position of Mayor in Santa Monica when he comes to office in one-year’s time.
Prior to the vote, Councilman Terry O’Day nominated Councilman Ted Winterer for the position of Mayor and Councilwoman Pam O’Connor nominated Councilwoman Gleam Davis for the role. Both Winterer and Davis withdrew themselves, leaving a clear path for Mayor McKeown’s election.
