My name is Dona Richardson, and I’ve lived in Santa Monica for over 30 years. I’ll be honest — I never paid much attention to politics. As a single mom, I was focused on raising my kids, keeping a roof over our heads, and making ends meet in a city that isn’t always easy to afford.
That changed when Lana Negrete moved in next door. I got involved because of her. Whether it was through the PTA, school fundraisers, or neighborhood events, she had this natural way of bringing people together — not for politics, but for purpose. When she decided to run for City Council, I didn’t hesitate to knock on doors for her because I’d already watched her do the work: raising her family, starting a nonprofit, keeping her family business alive, volunteering on boards, and showing up for her neighbors time and time again.
Lana has inspired not just me, but many of my once-apathetic neighbors to pay attention — to get informed, to speak up, and to care about what happens in our city. I know more about City Hall now than I ever have, and it’s because of her leadership, her transparency, and her relentless drive to help others find their voice.
So when I read the letter to the editor that former Councilmember Kevin McKeown wrote — which was not only condescending but dripping with misogyny — it hit like a sucker punch. Sadly, it’s not the first time he’s attacked her publicly, but this time it was different. It was mean-spirited, dismissive, and felt like something I wouldn’t want my daughter to read — yet I showed it to her anyway, because it’s important for young women to see the kind of disrespect that still exists toward women in leadership, even from those who claim to be “progressive.”
It’s heartbreaking to watch a woman who has endured so much — from battling cancer, to losing her father, to being a minority voice on the Council — be disrespected by someone who couldn’t even finish his own term. To see him take out ads to demean her while calling her “whiny” or “uneducated” says far more about him than it ever could about her.
What people don’t realize is how much Lana actually does. She created a public-facing platform called https://mygovtools.org — a space designed to make City Hall more transparent and accessible. It gives residents like me a clear window into how things really operate in our city. She also writes a weekly newsletter that breaks down what’s happening in Santa Monica in plain, easy-to-understand language — so everyone, not just insiders, can stay informed.
And if you follow her on Instagram, you know she’s constantly keeping us up to date. It started with her live updates during the fires, but now she posts regular video updates — often filmed right from our shared carport underneath our apartment building. It’s real. It’s unfiltered. And it’s exactly what Santa Monica needs: a leader who shows up as herself, no matter what.
What I also see, and what many people don’t, is the disrespect she endures in that Council chamber. I watch how she’s talked down to or dismissed — the eye rolls, the patronizing tones, the way certain colleagues like Jesse Zwick, Dan Hall, and Caroline Torosis pander or use condescending body language toward her when she dares to challenge the status quo. I’ll never forget watching when Caroline abruptly cut her out of the City Attorney hiring committee, saying “Oh, but Jesse wanted to be part of it.” It was a blatant display of exclusion — and yet Lana didn’t flinch. She keeps showing up, keeps pushing through the barriers, and keeps earning her seat at the table even when others try to pull it away.
That’s who we need leading us — not someone who walks away from a Zoom meeting when things get tough, but someone who pulls out her own chair, makes room for others, and never shows up to eat for herself — she shows up for the community.
As her neighbor, I see it firsthand: she’s having coffee meetings almost every day with constituents from all over Santa Monica. She goes on walks with residents to hear their concerns face-to-face. She meets with business owners multiple times a week, helps bring new businesses to town, and constantly pitches ideas to city staff to improve the community. She’s working tirelessly — far beyond what’s expected of a part-time council role — and she’s brought a new energy and redefinition of public service to this city.
That’s what real leadership looks like. She’s not only doing the work — she’s inviting the public into it.
So I say to my fellow residents: be careful what you read, and make sure you pay attention before you show up to the ballot next year. Look beyond the political noise and see who’s actually serving this city with integrity, empathy, and dedication.
I’ve told her many times — she’s boxing way below her weight class. We need more leaders like her, not fewer. I’m proud to call her my neighbor, my friend, and my representative. She deserves far more respect than she’s been given.
Respectfully,
Dona Richardson
Santa Monica