Last night, four new City Councilmembers were sworn in: Dan Hall, Ellis Raskin, Barry Snell, and Natalya Zernitskaya. Dan Hall shared his first speech from the dais as a member of the Santa Monica City Council. Photo: Bradley Ewing.
Thank you, everyone, it’s an honor to address you tonight. This election presented a stark choice between two visions for Santa Monica, and I’m proud voters overwhelmingly chose a compassionate, progressive, and abundant future. Voters told us they are not afraid to build more homes, support renters, and uplift workers while rebuilding our economy.
They asked us to continue repairing racial injustice, invest in education and street safety, enforce equitable public safety, treat our unhoused neighbors with dignity, and protect our environment. Voters demanded a return of ethics, integrity, and collaboration to our City Council. Santa Monica, we hear you, and we’re ready to work.
Thank you to our outgoing Councilmembers: Mayor Brock for your endless love of and decades of service to Santa Monica, Councilmember de la Torre for your advocacy for the Pico neighborhood, Councilmember Parra for your insights on public safety, and Councilmember Davis for your wisdom, leadership, and mentorship.
To my partner Jason—you’ve been my unwavering support and compass through difficult choices. To my parents and family, your love and guidance shaped who I am. Thank you all, for your support and hard work this year. I love you all.
I also want to thank Jon Katz, Gleam Davis, Caroline Torosis, Jesse Zwick, Anastasia Foster, Shy Roy, Erick Matos, and Assemblymember Rick Zbur—you were the first to believe in me, thank you for your support from the start.
To my team, Eddie and Debbie—thank you for your critical counsel and hard work. To my volunteers—thank you for the literal sweat, blood, and tears you left out on the streets, I wouldn’t be here without you. To the local organizations working tirelessly for progress: the Community for Excellent Public Schools, Santa Monica Forward, Unite Here Local 11, Streets for All, and especially Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights and the Santa Monica Democratic Club—your advocacy and passion inspire me. I look forward to partnering with you.
This is a historic moment for our City. We faced an onslaught—over $1 million spent against us by corporate interests, attempting to drown out the voices of regular people. But thankfully, yard signs and illegal, anonymous letters don’t vote. Together we knocked on over 30,000 doors. We built bridges, had honest conversations, fought united, and connected with renters and homeowners alike.
We won on a campaign based on values and vision for the future, not the past. Hope and not fear. Optimism, not pessimism.
I also want to acknowledge the resilience of everyone on this dais. We’ve faced grotesque comparisons to pedophilia, vile antisemitism, rude misogyny, blatant racism, and even threats against our lives.
While painful, these experiences have strengthened our resolve to lead with integrity, guided by our values. As the first out gay man on Council, joined by my sister Natalya, our first out bi Councilmember, we thank former Mayor Judy Abdo for paving the way and mentoring us. And to all the little queer kids – both young and grown up – tonight we say to you that your voice matters, your dreams are valid, and there is a seat for you at the table.
This City and community have your back.
I also recognize that I join this Council with the privilege of being a white, cisgender man and that with this election, we’ve lost some representation of race and gender on the dais. I promise we will double down on our efforts to fight racism, misogyny, transphobia, and antisemitism, and work to dismantle white privilege that continues to harm Black, Latino, Asian, and Indigenous communities.
I am here to learn from you, stand with you, and uplift you, especially as we face troubled days ahead given the change in federal administration and national climate.
Finally, to City Staff: you’ve overcome much these past four years, and we still face daunting challenges. I ask you to trust us, as we will trust you. I ask you to challenge us, as we will challenge you. Think big! This Council is not afraid of change.
Santa Monica should be a beacon of innovation—a place where new ideas flourish, and we lead by example. We challenge you to be effective, efficient, equitable, and ethical in your work. What is our next rent control law, our next Promenade, next SWIP, next mandate for gender-inclusive restrooms? I ask you to step up and join us in building an abundant future rooted in our Santa Monica values.
This city is more than just a place to me; it’s home. Here, after years in the Army, I found community, a sense of belonging, and purpose.
Thank you, Santa Monica, for allowing me to plant my roots here and work with you to make good trouble. Let’s move forward together with courage, determination, and hope. Thank you.
