Riggins, Stewart Take Their Council Seats; Silverstein Elected Mayor

MALIBU, CA — Malibu on on Dec. 12 officially gained two new city council members and said goodbye to Karen Farrer and Mikkie Pierson. Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein assumed the city's mayor's seat and Steve Uhring was elected Mayor Pro Tem, taking over for Paul Grisanti, whose current term ends in 2024.

Stewart and Riggins were the top two vote-getters in the Nov. 8 general election. Stewart led with 2,208 votes, or 26.90 percent of the vote, and Riggins followed with 1,725 votes, or 21.02 percent.

Riggins on Dec. 12 was sworn in by her daughter and Stewart was sworn in by his wife.

Riggins said her priorities include completing the Santa Monica-Malibu School District separation, public safety and creating new recreational facilities and cultural arts areas.

"Only together can we achieve these goals," Riggins said.

Stewart said his priorities were shaped by his campaign, which resulted in a to-do list for his first 100 days. Some of Stewart's campaigning priorities included public safety and fire prevention, addressing short-term rentals and finalizing the school board separation.

"I look forward to our partnership and working together," Stewart said. "I'm here for all our residents and my desire is to bring my campaign slogan of a kinder, safer, our Malibu to life during my time in office."

Silverstein was elected mayor after tumultuous appointments in recent years. Silverstein in 2020 was passed over for Mayor Pro Tem in a contentious appointment process, and selected for Mayor Pro Tem in 2021 in a tight vote.

"The selection of the next mayor has become a wedge issue for our community over the last few year. It's divided our residents and it's been a highly visible example of the divisiveness that ultimately and unfortunately became the norm rather than the exception for Malibu," Stewart said.

"I am grateful for the vote of confidence of the newly-seated City Council, and I am grateful for the trust and support of the residents who the five of us were elected to serve," Silverstein said.

Farrer and Pierson, who were both elected in 2018, did not run for re-election. Many council members thanked Farrer and Pierson for their dedication to the city during such a tumultuous tenure. Within a week of their election, neighboring Thousand Oaks suffered a mass shooting and Malibu was struck by the devastating Woolsey Fire.

"It's been a very memorable four years, and four years was just enough," Farrer said.