The United Democrats Slate of Dan Hall, Ellis Raskin, Barry Snell and Natalya Zernitskaya have earned another pair of endorsements from the Sierra Club of Los Angeles County and the Westside Young Democrats.
“The Sierra Club is pleased to endorse Barry Snell, Dan Hall, Ellis Raskin, and Natalya Zernitskaya, for Santa Monica City Council in appreciation of their demonstrated commitment to protecting the environment,” wrote Nancy Barba, who headed the nomination committee.
“The Sierra Club endorsement sends a message of their strong support and proven track record on environmental issues.”
Even though the election season has just formally kicked off, the quartet has been running hard together for months and has also earned endorsements from the Santa Monica Democratic Club, Santa Monica Forward, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights and other groups.
Meanwhile, the four incumbents on the City Council whose seats are up for election have either announced they will not be seeking a new term or have made no announcement at all. Gleam Davis announced months ago she would step aside for new leadership to rise while Mayor Phil Brock and Councilmembers Oscar de la Torre and Christine Parra have not declared either way.
There are currently 14 candidates that have “pulled papers” to collect signatures.
In 2022, the Sierra Club endorsed Caroline Torosis and Jesse Zwick who each won their first election to the City Council and Raskin. The Westside Young Democrats endorsed Torosis, Zwick and Zernitskaya.
Candidates have until August 9th to announce a candidacy and submit 100 signatures of registered Santa Monica voters to the City Clerk to qualify for the fall ballot.
