March 19, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica City Council Incumbents Concede

Terry O’Day, Ted Winterer and Ana Jara issue statements after challengers pick up three seats 

By Sam Catanzaro

Over the past few weeks, three Santa Monica City Council incumbents issued concession statements after failing to hold onto their seats. 

As of November 24, challenger Phil Brock leads the field with 19,307 votes. Incumbent Gleam Davis is in second with 18,113 votes, challenger Christine Parra is in third place with 18,014 votes and challenger Oscar De La Torre is in fourth place with 17,552 votes. The top four candidates—out of a field that included more than 20 contesters—will assume seats on City Council when sworn in on December 8.

Incumbent Terry O’Day, who was appointed to Santa Monica City Council in 2010 to fill a vacancy left by the death of Ken Genser, trails de la Torre by 1,205 votes.

“It appears our campaign fell narrowly short,” O’Day wrote in a recent statement. “Each elected candidate will need and deserve our support as the city navigates this winter’s Covid peak, the economic fallout from Covid, the state housing crisis and Santa Monica’s appropriate role, the selection of a new police chief and its implications, and more.” 

Ted Winterer, also an incumbent who was running for his third term, trails de la Torre 1,562 votes. 

“I am grateful the voters of Santa Monica granted me the honor and privilege of serving our community for eight years. And I’m proud of our many accomplishments during my tenure,” Winterer wrote in a statement.”I wish the newly-elected Councilmembers the best with the challenges ahead.” 

Incumbent Ana Maria Jara, appointed in 2019 to serve the rest of former Councilmember Tony Vazquez’s term, is 2,379 votes behind de la Torre for the final seat. 

“It has been my honor to serve the residents of Santa Monica for the past two years. I will continue to work with the community as I did before my appointment and now as a citizen of my City,” Jara wrote. “I wish my new councilmembers the patience to listen to all members of the community and stay on this new path we have forged over the last two years.”

In their statements, O’Day and Winterer touted the Council’s accomplishments during their time in office. These included bringing the Expo line to Santa Monica, taking action to close Santa Monica Airport by 2028 and reducing the City’s carbon footprint on the path to water self-sufficiency. 

Jara in her statement touted her “votes on plans and projects that will add revenue to the City’s coffers after vital programs and employees were slashed”, the City’s responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and starting the food pantry at Virginia Avenue Park.

As reported by the Santa Monica Lookout there have been only three incumbents ousted since 1994 on Santa Monica City Council.

in News
Related Posts

Time is Running Out To Give Public Input on Malibu’s Revised Housing Element

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

City Asks Residents to Comment on Strategies for Addressing Housing Needs The City of Malibu has released an updated Revised...

Fatal Crash Claims Life of Woman on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Accident Victim Identified in Thursday Night Accident A woman tragically lost her life in a Thursday evening crash along the...

California Wildlife Center Responds to Distressed Marine Mammal at Little Dume Beach

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Third Gray Whale Stranding of 2024 Prompts Concern in Malibu On the morning of Saturday, March 16, the California Wildlife...

Woman Drives Car In Ocean After High Speed Police Chase

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Law enforcement officers pursued her along the I-110 and I-405 until she reached the vicinity of Venice Beach A woman...

Santa Monica Authorities Seek Public’s Help After Sexual Assault Incident

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

SMPD Urges Anyone With Information to Come Forward Authorities in Santa Monica are seeking information from the public after a...

FBI Seeks Victims of Alleged Online Exploitation Scheme Allegedly Run by Resident of Santa Monica

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Individuals Urged to Come Forward in Investigation of John Douglas Burch The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is urging individuals to...

(Video) Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD Responds to News of Nex Benedict’s Cause of Death

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, responds to the release of the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Ruling on Nex...

Venice Family Clinic Announces Inaugural HEART Gala to Celebrate Health and Art

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Event Honors Creative Community and Supporters of Vital Health Care Services Venice Family Clinic, a non-profit community health center dedicated...

“Love Lies Bleeding” is Ripped: Actress Katy O’Brian Talks Love, Sex, and Vulnerability

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Katy O’Brian is a Breakout Star Who Shines in Loving and Hilariously Violent Crime Film English film director Rose Glass’...

Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier Sold to SC Holdings, $10M Investment Planned

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

The Cultural Institution Set for Exciting Upgrades Santa Monica Amusements LLC (SMA), the operating group of Pacific Park on the...

Woman Returns $1K Worth of Stolen Items After Store Finds Her Social Media Account

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

For the Owner, the Incident Is Perhaps Indicative of an Environment at the Palisades Village Where Smaller Businesses Are More...

LAPD Identify Suspect Who Struck 6-Year-Old Girl Last Weekend

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

An Arrest Was Made Following “Another Incident” in Venice By Zach Armstrong  The Los Angeles Police have identified Ahsante Lamar...

SMC to Host Free Screening of West Coast Hip Hop Documentary

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free Presentation Includes Audience Q&A with Hip Hop Icons Santa Monica College (SMC) is set to host a complimentary screening...

IRS Launches Direct File Pilot of Free Filing Tool for Taxpayers in California, 11 Other States

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free, Convenient Online Tax Filing Option Now Available for Eligible Individuals The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the official launch...

SMPD Arrests Man Who Allegedly Attacked Girlfriend, Brandished Replica Firearm at Her Daughter

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

The Man Faces Charges of Felony Domestic Violence and Misdemeanor Child Abuse A suspect is in custody after a domestic...