'Secretive' Political Committee Could Influence Elections

Santa Monica's powerful tenants group will vote this weekend to back candidates in the November race for City Council.

The endorsements from Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights will likely be determined by the group's 13-member steering committee, and could ultimately shape the outcome of the election, the Santa Monica LookOut reports.

The online news source, however, was unable to confirm the identities of the steering committee's members.

Reporter Jason Islas got the run-around from the leaders of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights, known as SMRR:

Asked to provide the names of the members, Co-Chair Patricia Hoffman said she didn’t have a list readily available. When asked if she could e-mail one, she said, “I’m not a touch typist.”

A call to Co-Chair Jennifer Kennedy, who sits on the City’s Planning Commission, went unanswered.

Asked who was on the committee, one long-time political observer did not know.

“It’s secretive,” the observer said. “Don’t quote me.”

As of Friday morning, the field of candidates was already packed tightly with 16 candidates, including two incumbents, who are vying for four seats on the dais, according to the City Clerk’s office.

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The candidates who will be seeking the SMRR endorsement on Sunday are incumbents Gleam Davis and Terry O'Day, Planning Commissioner Ted Winterer, former Lookout columnist Frank Gruber, former Council member Tony Vazquez, and education activist Shari Davis, according to the Lookout.

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The general election will be held Nov. 6, 2012.

For the full story on Sunday's vote, click over to surfsantamonica.com.