Planning Commissioner Ted Winterer Joins Council Race

Self-described as "bullish," Planning Commissioner Ted Winterer is giving the City Council another go.

After missing a seat by 56 votes in the 2010 election, Winterer said he is "cautiously optimistic" about his shot at winning a four-year term on the dais in the Nov. 6 election.

Winterer announced his candidacy Friday morning with support from current City Council members Kevin McKeown and Bobby Shriver.

"Two years ago I almost prevailed in a race where all of the incumbents sought reelection. This year, with at least one and possibly two incumbents not seeking an additional term on the Council, I’m cautiously optimistic about my chances for success,” he said in a press release.

Winterer entrance into local politics began in 2001 when he joined the Ocean Park Community Organization as chair of its traffic committee. He has since served on the city's Recreation and Parks Commission. He was president of the Ocean Park Association, member of the steering committees of CEPS and the Campaign to Protect Quality Public Schools, advisor to the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City and an appointee to the City’s Workforce Housing Committee. 

"I’m also bullish on Santa Monica,” he said in a statement. "Our town has faced substantial challenges in recent years due largely to global economic headwinds and the continued dysfunction of state government. But I believe we will thrive in the future."

Four of seven seats—ones currently filled by Mayor Richard Bloom, Davis, Terry O'Day and Bobby Shriver—are up for grabs this November.

The filing period for Santa Monica residents to declare their City Council candidacy opens July 16 and closes Aug. 10. Frank Gruber, a longtime Santa Monica Lookout columnist and former Planning Commissioner, . Jerry "Peace Activist" Rubin, incumbent Gleam Davis and longtime PTA leader Shari Davis have also announced their candidacies.

Winterer lives in the Ocean Park neighborhood with his wife Beck; daughter Eleanor, 10; and son Steele, 6. He is also an AYSO referee and coach and an organizer of the annual Fourth of July Parade on Main Street.

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