> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Candidate profile: Lana Negrete
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/candidate-profile-lana-negrete/
- Published: 2026-10-05T17:19:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-09T17:24:41.000Z
- Author: Matthew Hall
- Tags: Election 2026, Government & Politics

Lana Negrete advocates for a "resident-first" leadership style based on her lived experience as a small business owner and former Mayor. She positions herself as a pragmatic leader who is not afraid to take "tough" stances on the city's most pressing issues.

Position summaries:

Homelessness: Negrete supports "tough love" policies and advocates for closing or reforming the current model at the Samoshel shelter. She believes the city should prioritize residents' safety and quality of life while offering services to those who are willing to accept them.

Crime & Public Safety: She is a strong proponent of using "Flock" camera technology and strictly enforcing anti-camping ordinances to clear public spaces. Negrete views technology and proactive enforcement as the keys to restoring order to the city's streets.

Housing Construction: Her strategy encourages high density in the downtown area while maintaining a strong commitment to the historic preservation of the city's neighborhoods. She believes that growth should be strategic and should not come at the expense of Santa Monica’s unique character.

Economic Recovery: She proposes transitioning City Hall back to a five-day-a-week schedule to improve service delivery and increase foot traffic downtown. Negrete believes that a more active and present local government will foster a more vibrant business environment.

Governmental Philosophy: Her philosophy is centered on transparency and the use of modern tools like her "MyGovTools" to increase resident engagement. She believes that residents should have easy access to information and a clear understanding of how their tax dollars are being spent.

Qualifications & Narrative Negrete is a lifelong Santa Monican and owner of the Santa Monica Music Center, a local small business that informs her perspective on economic recovery. As a current council member and former Mayor, she has been a vocal advocate for public safety, earning endorsements from the city’s public safety unions. Negrete frames her candidacy as a fight to return the city to its residents, arguing that her lived experience as a business owner and mother gives her a unique insight into the city’s challenges. She was the only council member to oppose the letter in support of SB 79, citing a lack of resident representation in the decision. Negrete is committed to using technology like "Flock" cameras to enhance safety and has been a leading voice in the push for "tough love" homelessness policies. She positions herself as a pragmatic leader who is willing to make the difficult choices necessary to ensure Santa Monica remains a safe and vibrant community for everyone.

Our Take...

Negrete has stood outside the City’s established channels of power since first being appointed and the city’s sycophants and power brokers have been desperate to silence her dissenting voice ever since. While some candidates would happily turn Santa Monica into a vassal state of the County or State, she genuinely focuses on what she thinks is best for current residents. It’s also worth noting that the policy positions she’s been lambasted for by the establishment (such as increased police enforcement, moving homeless services out of Downtown and a focus on businesses) are now foundations of the city’s realignment plan. Her opposition to transitional housing on Ocean Ave. was an outlier from the other six councilmembers that proved to be widely supported by residents and where the other councilmembers have to account for being hypocrites over backing SB 79 and then exempting the city from it, Lana opposed it from the start. Her politics aren’t for everyone and her style can be grating but there’s value to having a rabble rouser on the dais and she’s one of the best choices for voters who are dissatisfied with the status quo.