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# Candidate profile: Phil Brock
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/candidate-profile-phil-brock/
- Published: 2026-10-05T17:21:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-09T17:22:34.000Z
- Author: Matthew Hall
- Tags: Election 2026, Government & Politics

Phil Brock is a defender of "neighborhood character" and a vocal critic of what he describes as "Sacramento overreach." As the current Mayor, he focuses on protecting the city's local control and restoring its historic charm.

Position summaries

Homelessness: Brock advocates for a "treatment-first" approach and the relocation of the Samoshel shelter away from the downtown core. He believes the city must stop being a regional magnet for services and focus on its own residents first.

Crime & Public Safety: He supports the prosecution of retail theft through Prop 36 and calls for increased law enforcement presence on the Metro lines. Brock is committed to making Santa Monica the "safest beach city" in the world.

Housing Construction: He is actively fighting state mandates like SB 79 and seeks to protect parks and neighborhoods from what he views as excessive densification. Brock believes that the city should fulfill its housing obligations without destroying its existing residential fabric.

Economic Recovery: His strategy centers on increasing hotel TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) revenues as the primary engine for municipal fiscal recovery. He is also committed to protecting the Bergamot Station arts district from redevelopment that would displace existing galleries.

Governmental Philosophy: Brock’s philosophy is defined by "servant-leadership" and a commitment to listening to his constituents above all else. He believes that the council should be a direct reflection of the will of the residents.

Qualifications & Narrative 

A native resident and the current Mayor, Brock has spent a lifetime in Santa Monica, serving on the Recreation and Parks Commission and the DA’s Homeless Task Force. He frames his candidacy as a battle for the "soul of Santa Monica" against outside developers and state bureaucrats. Brock is a vocal opponent of what he calls "Sacramento mandates," arguing that the city should have the right to determine its own density and growth. He positions himself as a "servant-leader" who is always available to listen to resident concerns and has made street-level safety the centerpiece of his administration. Brock’s focus on the hotel TOT tax reflects his belief that the city’s economic future is tied to its status as a premier tourist destination, and he is committed to ensuring that the city’s historic assets, like Bergamot Station, are protected for future generations.