Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom tendered his resignation Sunday, which will go into effect one minute before a swearing in ceremony for his new role as 50th District assemblymember.
"I just tendered my resignation as Santa Monica Mayor and Councilmember effective 11:59 a.m. on Monday. I'll be sworn in as Assemblymember at noon on Monday and couldn't bear leaving my post a minute sooner," Bloom wrote on his Facebook page Sunday morning.
Bloom declared victory on Nov. 27 with 70,000 votes left to be counted countywide from the Nov. 6 election. The final count was completed on Sunday, and Bloom widened his lead to 1,705 votes over Assemblywoman Betsy Butler.
The results will be certified by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
"My service to the people of Santa Monica, on the Coastal Commission, Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission, Santa Monica Conservancy and Westside Cities Council of Governments has been a labor of love and has enriched my life more than I ever imagined," Bloom said.
He thanked the residents of Santa Monica and others.
"Thank you to the people of the 50th Assembly District for entrusting me with the awesome responsibilities that I will now undertake," Bloom said.
Bloom previously held a lead of 888 votes last week. On election night, he was ahead by 218 votes, and his lead widened with every vote tally update except for the Nov. 20 results.
Bloom said in a letter posted on the Facebook page he expects to be sworn in on Monday in the State Capitol by Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye.
This closely-contested race is unique as it is the only one in the 28 contested state legislative and congressional districts in California to have candidates from the same party—both are Democrats.
Incumbent Betsy Butler raised more than $1 million in campaign funds, about twice as much as Bloom.
District 50 encompasses Santa Monica, Malibu, Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Carthay Square, West Hollywood, much of Hollywood, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, as well as Pacific Palisades, Topanga, part of the Santa Monica Mountains and Agoura Hills.
Best, Marie
You see? I am a voter who does not abide by the monied interests that Mr Bloom represent. A simple look at his record and contributions speak volumes. Mr Bloom hails from the SMRR tyranny of a majority, and it is my opinion that SMRR is a defacto political party, whose singular mission is rent control and the council majority is beholding to them. When you have been around as long as I have Marie you too will come to inderstand what that means? Mr Bloom is in for a rude cold sop now that he is on his own without the same old usual suspects working behind the scenes to give him votes and political cover. We are better off with out him now. thats my opinion and I am sticking to it.