The Executive Board of the Santa Monica Democratic Club has just completed video interviews with 15 local candidates seeking our endorsement this cycle for City Council, Rent Control Board, SMMUSD Board of Education, and SMC Board of Trustees. You can view all of their interviews and written questionnaire responses, unedited, below.

All incumbents as well as announced and rumored candidates were actively invited to participate. Other candidates reached out to let us know they were running and were included as well. Per our bylaws, we can only consider registered Democrats for endorsement.

Please note: We will host live debates for the Rent Control Board, School Board, and College Board races at 6:30pm on Wednesday, May 29, and then the debate for the City Council race at 6:30pm on Thursday, June 6. Both events will be live in person at the Thelma Terry Center or via Zoom. RSVP for either option here: https://forms.gle/7b2PNvQ3NqQ54bKTA

▶️ PLAY ALL 

City Council (4 positions up for election, 6 candidates)

Ellis Raskin: video interview | written questionnaire
Marcus Owens: video interview | written questionnaire
Dan Hall: video interview | written questionnaire
Ericka Lesley: video interview | written questionnaire
Natalya Zernitskaya: video interview | written questionnaire
Barry Snell: video interview | written questionnaire

Rent Control Board (2 positions up for election, 3 candidates):

Phillis Dudick: video interview | written questionnaire
Kay Ambriz: video interview | written questionnaire
Michael Kirschbaum: video interview | written questionnaire
 

School Board (3 positions up for election, 3 candidates):

Jon Kean: video interview | written questionnaire
Maria Leon-Vazquez: video interview | written questionnaire
Jennifer Smith: video interview | written questionnaire

College Board (3 positions up for election, 3 candidates):

Margaret Quinones-Perez: video interview | written questionnaire
Rob Rader: video interview | written questionnaire
Anastasia Foster: video interview | written questionnaire

And now it is time to see the candidates go head to head. Please join us for our live debate events on May 29 and June 6. 
RSVP Now: https://forms.gle/7b2PNvQ3NqQ54bKTA

Santa Monica and Malibu residents should be sure to join the Club no later than May 27 in order to vote on these endorsements on our upcoming June 26 endorsement meeting.