The first joint campaign message from Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights and UNITE HERE Local 11 is highlighting three candidates for Santa Monica City Council, while leaving two names notably absent.
The message urges voters to support Mayor Caroline Torosis, Rent Control Board Chair Danny Ivanov and Brett Morrow, and to reject incumbent Councilmember Lana Negrete.
All three candidates have received SMRR’s endorsement. Torosis and Ivanov were endorsed at the organization’s August convention, while Morrow was later added by SMRR’s Steering Committee.
But the message does not mention Doug Trussler, whom UNITE HERE endorsed alongside Torosis, Ivanov and Morrow in its September 10 announcement. It seems that not all endorsements are equal when an organization endorses four candidates for three positions.
The joint message also leaves out Phil Brock, whom UNITE HERE has urged voters to reject along with Negrete.
The result is a three-candidate slate in the first joint message from the two organizations, despite UNITE HERE’s formal endorsement of four candidates. Voters can cast up to three votes in the November 3 election for the three open Council seats.
Content of Text from Unite Here!/SMRR
BREAKING: Santa Monicans for Renters Rights and UNITE HERE Local 11 support 3 candidates for 3 seats on Santa Monica City Council:
Mayor Caroline Torosis — A leader for rent control who previously served on the Rent Control Board.
Rent Control Board Chair Danny Ivanov — enforced Santa Monica’s renter-protection laws.
Brett Morrow — worked as staff for progressive hero Congressman (and now MN Attorney General) Keith Ellison.
X Don’t vote for Lana Negrete — she threatened our historic rent control law.
Who are you considering for City Council? REPLY BACK with their names or UNDECIDED.
Paid for by UNITE HERE Local 11 PAC. Not authorized by a candidate or committee controlled by a candidate. Stop to quit.
