It’s disappointing — though not surprising — to see former Mayor Kevin McKeown once again resort to personal attacks and revisionist history instead of facts.
Let’s start with a reminder for those who may have forgotten: Kevin McKeown himself walked out of a Council meeting in the middle of his term because he didn’t get his way. That’s not leadership — that’s a meltdown. So, when he accuses a woman of the same behavior for daring to challenge the status quo, it says more about him than it does about me.
I’m proud of how I conducted myself in that meeting. I raised legitimate policy questions about housing, community planning, and the impacts on residents — questions any responsible mayor should ask. That’s not a “hissy fit”; that’s doing the job I was elected to do.
As a woman, and as a mother, I know how often strength and assertiveness are labeled as “emotional” or “unqualified” when they come from women — especially women who don’t play by the old rules. My daughters were watching that night. They saw their mom stay calm and respectful in the face of arrogance, dismissiveness, and what I’ll politely call “selective civility.” They saw what it looks like to stand your ground without losing your composure. That matters more to me than Kevin McKeown’s approval ever will.
As for his tired talking points about state housing laws — that’s an old script. The “state mandate scare tactic” has been used for years to silence legitimate local concerns about livability, infrastructure, and community voice. I’ve been consistent:
Santa Monica must comply with state law, but we also must advocate for balanced, realistic housing policies that don’t hollow out the character or affordability of our city.
Asking those questions isn’t ignorance — it’s leadership.
Kevin McKeown’s letter reads like the last gasp of an old guard that believes power belongs to the same few voices. But those days are over. Our community is ready for collaborative, forward-thinking leadership that values accountability, inclusivity, and transparency over ego and nostalgia.
To Kevin McKeown, I’ll simply say this: Santa Monica has moved on. Maybe it’s time you did too.
by Mayor Lana Negrete