Hall, Raskin Lead Field Of Santa Monica Council Candidates: Semi-Final Results

SANTA MONICA, CA — Dan Hall, Ellis Raskin, Barry A. Snell and Natalya Zernitskaya are leading a field of candidates vying for four City Council seats, according to semi-final results released by election officials.

The election will decide a 10-way race for four seats: In the running are incumbents Phil Brock and Oscar de la Torre and challengers Ericka Lesley, Hall, Raskin, Vivian A. Roknian, John Putnam, Wade Kelley, Snell and Zernitskaya.

Incumbents Gleam Davis and Christine Parra are not seeking reelection.

Here's the latest count:

1. Hall — 13.21% — 15,524 votes
2. Raskin — 13.20% — 15,512 votes
3. Snell — 12.56% — 14,765 votes
4. Zernitskaya — 12.54% — 14,746 votes
5. Brock — 11.59% — 13,624 votes
6. de la Torre — 10.70% — 12,581 votes
7. Roknian — 10.25% — 12,051 votes
8. Putnam — 8.97% — 10,540 votes
9. Lesley — 5.63% — 6,624 votes
10. Kelley — 1.35% — 1,586 votes

The semi-final results point to a possible unseating of incumbents Brock and de la Torre. Brock trails Zernitskaya by 1,122 votes and de la Torre is 2,165 votes behind Zernitskaya.

The results reflect 2.62 million ballots counted countywide by early Wednesday morning, representing 45.59% of registered voters, which the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's Office said were "semi-final results." The results also reflect another approximately 80,000 counted ballots reported by the registrar's office on Wednesday afternoon.

There are still "many" ballots left to count: The registrar plans to release updated counts each day after 4 p.m. until all ballots are counted and the results are certified, the registrar's office said.

Check back in the coming days for an updated breakdown of the results.

Additionally, check out the latest results for Santa Monica's local ballot measures.

Real-Time Race Results For Santa Monica/ Los Angeles County: Nov. 5, 2024 General Election:

The Registrar of Voters and Patch will update the results as votes are tallied, and the page will be refreshed for the latest updates.

Jump to the contest/measure of your choice in the results below.

For full coverage of the election in California, click here.

Santa Monica City Council:

Below find a snapshot of each candidate, along with links to their candidate statements and campaign websites, where they make their pitches for why they should be elected to the council.

Read more: Patch's voter guide offers a full rundown of the Santa Monica ballot.

Phil Brock

Brock is seeking a second term on the council. He previously served on various city bodies for nearly two decades, including the Recreation & Parks Commission and Arts Commission, according to his city biography.

"Our citizens have wisdom; they know why they moved to this place and what they want the future of Santa Monica to be. I do not believe that high rises, massive developments, streets that become canyons of buildings, or roads that our families can't navigate are what my grandparents moved to Santa Monica for in the 1920s. My family certainly did not settle in Santa Monica to be plagued by rampant crime or to be afraid of the behavior on our streets. We must continue to restore public safety in our city," his campaign website reads.

• Candidate statement
• Campaign website

Oscar de la Torre

De la Torre is seeking a second term on the council. He previously served 18 years on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board, according to his city biography.

"Oscar has first-hand experience with living in Santa Monica, he stepped in when the city was on the brink of bankruptcy, without a city manager, or a police chief. Since then he has partnered with the best in our city to bring stability to his hometown, and with your help, he will continue to bring the resources and collaboration needed to deliver a safe, vibrant city that works for each of us," his campaign website reads.

• Candidate statement
• Campaign website

Dan Hall

Hall is an Army veteran, businessman and member of the Santa Monica Pier Corporation Board of Directors, according to his campaign.

"Dan is a Santa Monica Pier Board Member, Army veteran, and renter. A West Point graduate, Dan served his country honorably flying helicopters abroad. Now he wants to bring his leadership experience home to Santa Monica where he has advocated for workers, renters, and families as a community leader. He believes in a safe, affordable, and inclusive Santa Monica and will bring character and competence to City Hall," his campaign website reads.

• Candidate statement
• Campaign website

Wade Kelley

Kelley is identified on the ballot as "guitar guy," a designation he said came despite his desire to be referred to as a "peaceful promenade protester or peaceful homeless advocate," according to his campaign page.

"The most important job of government is to protect its citizens from violence. And that means all of its citizens … Including those who are unhoused, living in the streets. Statistics show that it is much more likely for a homeless person to be the victim of violent crime than be a perpetrator of violent crime. But, some would like to criminalize homelessness, which has been brought on by generations of bad government. Santa Monica, led by Phil Brock and Oscar de la Torre, has criminalized sleeping bags and bed rolls for homeless human beings," he told the Santa Monica Daily Press.

• Candidate statement
• Campaign website

Ericka Lesley

Lesley is the chairwoman of the Santa Monica Rent Control Board and a community activist, according to her campaign.

"My vision for Santa Monica is one of equity, justice, safety and opportunity for all. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and community engagement, l'm committed to creating positive change that reflects the needs and values of our residents. Additionally, I am committed to creating safe public spaces for all to enjoy, innovate and thrive," her campaign website reads.

• Candidate statement
• Campaign website

John Putnam

Putnam is a businessman in the apparel industry who previously served for eight years on the Saint Monica Preparatory School Board, according to her campaign.

"Crime has infiltrated our daily lives. The city council's attempts to combat homelessness have failed, wasting tax dollars without making a meaningful difference. They continue to support ineffective programs and strategies. But we are not powerless. Change is possible, but it requires community effort. Together, we can create the Santa Monica we all deserve. John's mission is to unite the community for the greater good," his campaign website reads.

• Candidate statement
• Campaign website

Ellis Raskin

Raskin is an environmental attorney who previously served on the Santa Monica Planning Commission, according to his campaign.

"Santa Monica needs bold, progressive leadership to address our ongoing challenges. As an environmental attorney and the former chair of the Santa Monica Planning Commission, I have a proven track record of success. I work with public agencies and community stakeholders across California to build strong, safe, and sustainable cities. My work has helped save open space, preserve parkland, and protect public access to the coast. As a Planning Commissioner, I fought for programs that protect renters, promote affordability, and support local businesses," reads his candidate statement submitted to the City Clerk.

• Candidate statement
• Campaign website

Vivian A. Roknian

Roknian is a dentist who holds an adjunct professorship is an entrepreneur in her field, according to her campaign.

Roknian is "focused on applying her broad experience and forward-thinking solutions toward innovative plans that address our city’s crime, homelessness, affordable housing, and economic recovery. Dr. Roknian envisions a revitalized Santa Monica with a diverse, multi-generational and thriving population benefiting from renewed safety, inclusivity and economic opportunity. Her commitment to practical, innovative solutions is fueled by a long-running personal connection to Santa Monica and hands-on experience as an entrepreneur launching and running businesses," reads her candidate statement submitted to the City Clerk.

• Candidate statement
• Campaign website

Barry A. Snell

Snell is an accountant who has served for a decade on the Santa Monica College board and for four years on the California Community College Board of Trustees. He previously served on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District board, according to his campaign.

"On the City Council, I will focus on: 1. Public Safety, by fully funding our first responders to reduce emergency response times. 2. Affordability and Housing, by streamlining bureaucratic processes to ease the construction of affordable housing while allowing our residents to age in place. 3. Investing In Our Infrastructure through comprehensive street planning to prioritize safety and reduce traffic congestion with input from transportation planners," reads his candidate statement submitted to the City Clerk.

• Candidate statement
• Campaign website

Natalya Zernitskaya

Zernitskaya is a financial analyst who serves on the city's Transient Occupancy Tax Advisory Committee and previously served on the City Council's Audit Subcommittee, according to her campaign.

"Nobody is better prepared than Natalya to find real solutions to the challenges facing our city – so every family can thrive. Her priorities include implementing proven homelessness reduction programs, protecting renters, investing in our first responders, and fast-tracking our economic recovery plan," reads her candidate statement submitted to this City Clerk's office.

• Candidate statement
• Campaign website