Local Ballot Takes Shape as Filing Deadline Passes for Santa Monica's 2026 Local Elections

SANTA MONICA - The field of candidates for Santa Monica's November 3, 2026, general municipal election is now largely set after the nomination filing deadline passed this week, producing contested races for every local office on the ballot.

According to city candidate filing records dated August 12, 2026, hopefuls who pulled nomination papers in the weeks leading up to the deadline have either submitted their paperwork, withdrawn, or chosen not to file. Some applications remain under verification by the City Clerk's Office and may still qualify in the coming days.

Three four-year seats are open on the City Council. Candidates who have filed include Ryan Blomberg, Phillip L. Brock (qualified), Lindsay Davis, Eli Gill (qualified), Daniel Ivanov (qualified), Wade Kelley (qualified), Ericka Lesley (qualified), Brett Morrow (qualified), Lana Negrete (incumbent, qualified), Ashley Oelsen, Caroline Torosis (incumbent, qualified), Derrick Townsend, and Douglas Byron Trussler.

Two candidates who filed later withdrew: Nathaniel I. Jones and Angela D. Scott. Four individuals who pulled papers did not submit them: Autumn Dubra, Erik Kramer, Jonathan Louis Mann, and Charles A. Mokuolu. Virginia Reese initially pulled papers for City Council but filed instead for a seat on the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees before later withdrawing that candidacy.

Three four-year seats are up on the Rent Control Board. The candidates are Kurt Gonska (incumbent, qualified), Sue Himmelrich (qualified), Soledad Marcial (qualified), Zoë Muntaner, and Heather Thomason (qualified). No candidates withdrew or failed to file in this race.

Four four-year seats are open on the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees. Filers include Luis Barrera Castanon (incumbent, qualified), Kera Blades-Snell (qualified), Oscar de la Torre, Thomas Peters (incumbent, qualified), and Sion Roy (incumbent, qualified). Brahim Boumakh filed but did not qualify. No other prospective candidates failed to file.

Four four-year seats are contested on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education. Candidates are Harry Leshner, Laurie Lieberman (incumbent, qualified), Alicia Mignano (incumbent, qualified), Stacy J. Rouse (incumbent), and Robert "Robbie" Staenberg (qualified). Brahim Boumakh initially pulled papers for the School Board but filed for the College Board instead, where he did not qualify. No candidates withdrew from the School Board race, and none who pulled papers failed to file.

The original nomination period ran from July 13 to August 7. Because at least one incumbent did not file for each office by the initial deadline, the period was extended to 5:30 p.m. on August 12 for non-incumbents, consistent with California Elections Code requirements.

Additional candidates may still enter as write-ins. The write-in nomination period runs from September 7 to October 20. Write-in candidates must meet the same qualification standards as those who appear on the printed ballot, but their names will not be listed on voter materials; voters must write them in by hand.

The election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Official candidate lists and any further qualifications or withdrawals will be updated by the City Clerk's Office as verification is completed. Residents can find official election information, including candidate guidelines and notices, at santamonica.gov/elections/2026-11-03.

The races set the stage for a competitive local election cycle covering City Council, rent control policy, community college governance, and the school district that serves Santa Monica and Malibu.