Last night, things got interesting.Ā š„
The Santa Monica Democratic Club held our latest endorsement meeting, and for the first time this campaign season, SD24 votes got to see some real fireworks.
We put John Erickson and Brian Goldsmith, the two remaining candidates for California State Senate in SD24, head-to-head for one final debate before the Club voted on its endorsement. The questions went deep on housing, homelessness, public safety, film and television, the environment, immigration, campaign spending, and more.
There were sharp disagreements and pointed exchanges, giving Club members their clearest opportunity yet to distinguish between the two candidates before casting their ballots.
Whether you already know who you’re voting for or you’re still making up your mind, this one is worth watching.Ā šæ
Then, after the debate, we heard from proponents and opponents of each of five Santa Monica ballot measures – ES, GG, RR, TT, and VV – and the Club voted on each one.
Ā š³ļø Endorsement Results
Per our Club Bylaws, contested endorsements require 55% support.
Endorsed candidates/positions listed below inĀ bold.
California Senate (SD24) (233 votes cast, plus 2 abstentions)
John Erickson – 85 votes (36%)
Brian Goldsmith – 139 votes (60%)
No Endorsement – 9 votes (4%)
Measure ES (183 votes cast, plus 8 abstentions)
Yes – 96 votes (52%)
No – 80 votes (44%)
No Endorsement – 7 votes (4%)
Result = The Club did not reach consensus on this race.
Measure GG (172 votes cast, plus 19 abstentions)
Yes – 104 votes (60%)
No – 60 votes (35%)
No Endorsement – 8 votes (5%)
Measure RR (173 votes cast, plus 18 abstentions)
Yes – 110 votes (64%)
No – 55 votes (32%)
No Endorsement – 8 votes (5%)
Measure TT (174 votes cast, plus 17 abstentions)
Yes – 108 votes (62%)
No – 57 votes (33%)
No Endorsement – 9 votes (5%)
Measure VV (170 votes cast, plus 21 abstentions)
Yes – 101 votes (59%)
No – 60 votes (35%)
No Endorsement – 9 votes (5%)
Congratulations to all of our endorsed candidates and positions!Ā
And that’sĀ almostĀ a wrap on our 2026 endorsement season.
Believe it or not, we still have one more endorsement night to go, and it’s a big one. OnĀ Wednesday, September 9, we’ll come together for the final pieces of our November ballot: statewide and county measures, our remaining judicial races, and statewide candidates running to keep California blue.
Ā Date: September 9, 2026
Ā Time: Doors Open 6:30pm, Program Start 7:00pm
Ā Location: The Church In Ocean Park (235 Hill St) AND on Zoom
Ā RSVP Here:Ā https://forms.gle/kbriz8hGZ5FfRWm46
One more endorsement night. Then it’s time to get to work. Let’s finish strong.Ā
Congratulations to all of our already endorsed November candidates:
SM Rent Control Board:
Heather Thomason
Sue Himmelrich
Kurt Gonska
SMMUSD Board of Education:
Alicia Mignano
Stacy Rouse
Robbie Staenberg
SMC Board of Trustees:
Sion Roy
Luis Barrera CastaƱon
Tom Peters
Kera Blades Snell
Ballot Measures:
GG – Yes
RR – Yes
TT – Yes
VV – Yes
US House District 36 – Ted Lieu
State Senate District 24 – Brian Goldsmith
State Assembly District 51 – Rick Chavez Zbur
Secretary of State – Shirley Weber
Attorney General – Rob Bonta
Controller – Malia Cohen
Insurance Commissioner – Ben Allen
Board of Equalization – Mike Gipson
LA County Sheriff – Robert Luna
LA Superior Court:
OFFICE #64 – Maria Ghobadi