The Santa Monica City Council has appointed Walfred Solorzano as the city's next city clerk, concluding a national recruitment that began earlier this year and was overseen by a council ad hoc committee.
Solorzano succeeds Interim City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren, who retired from the post in 2023 and returned in January to lead the office during the search.
"Walfred has built a career within City Clerk offices throughout the state," Mayor Caroline Torosis said. "That depth of experience is what Santa Monica needs to ensure our City Clerk's Office continues to operate smoothly and effectively. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Denise for returning to manage the City Clerk's Office while we conducted this search."
Solorzano has worked in local government for more than two decades, with nearly a decade as a city clerk, assistant city clerk or deputy city clerk. He served as city clerk for Sausalito from December 2022 to July 2026 and has been interim city clerk for Lodi since July 28. Before Sausalito, he was assistant city clerk for Half Moon Bay and had worked for other California cities.
"I've spent more than 20 years in government, and I still believe in the deeply human business of public service. Local government matters because this is where democracy becomes accessible to everybody," Solorzano said. "Being selected as Santa Monica's City Clerk feels like both a homecoming and a new adventure. I'm excited to bring my experience and energy to the job, and to serve a city and community that has never been afraid to have a personality of its own."
Solorzano holds a bachelor's degree from Azusa Pacific University. He will join the city Monday, Sept. 21.
The city clerk is Santa Monica's elections official, Political Reform Act filing officer, and compliance officer for the Brown Act and the Public Records Act. The office prepares City Council agendas and records proceedings, manages the city's records and public records requests, runs the boards and commissions appointment process, and accepts passport applications.
For more information about the City Clerk's Office, visit santamonica.gov/departments/city-clerks-office.
Edited by SMDP Staff