As the husband of Mayor Lana Negrete, I usually keep quiet about politics. But after reading Kevin McKeown’s recent letter attacking my wife, I couldn’t stay silent.
It’s one thing to disagree on policy. It’s another to publicly belittle a woman who has dedicated herself to this city while carrying more responsibility and hardship than most could ever imagine. Lana runs a small business, serves on multiple local boards, raises two teenage daughters, and operates a nonprofit supporting at-risk youth — all while serving as Mayor. She did all this while battling breast cancer, never missing a single council meeting during her treatment. Not one. And even after losing her father last year, she stayed committed to the people of Santa Monica with strength, empathy, and grace.
I live with this strong, amazing, selfless woman. I see her come home after 1 a.m., exhausted from hours of council meetings where she’s often talked down to, interrupted, or dismissed — yet she keeps showing up. She’s the only one on that dais who was born and raised here, the only one who speaks from lived experience. She doesn’t stand up for residents and marginalized communities because it looks good on a political flyer — she does it because that’s who she is and what she represents.
It’s sad to see that the political machine calling itself the “majority” on council is being steered behind the scenes by a man like Mr. McKeown. But then again, it’s not hard to see the common thread — the same pandering, condescending tone, the same micro aggressions that my wife endures regularly on the dais. Through all of it, she’s remained steadfast. She’s never backed down, and she would never quit.
For Mr. McKeown, a man who walked away from his council seat live on Zoom without warning, to call her “petulant,” “whining,” or “reckless” isn’t just ironic — it’s a reflection of exactly what’s wrong in our local politics.
I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with Mr. McKeown directly about his opinions. It’s easy to throw stones from the sidelines, but real leadership — and real respect — come from honest, face-to-face conversation.
Lana doesn’t need me to defend her — she’s more than capable of holding her own — but as her husband, I won’t sit quietly while someone takes cheap shots at a woman who’s given her whole heart to this city.
— Luis Negrete
(Mayor Lana Negrete's Husband)