With nine candidates running, the three city council incumbents swept the November elections, with Pam O’Connor, Kevin McKeown and Bob Holbrook getting the most votes. A battle was waged in August for those seeking the crucial Santa Monicans for Renters Rights’ endorsement. SMRR, the ruling party in Santa Monica, was split when it endorsed Abby Arnold over others, including then-Mayor Mike Feinstein’s pick of Green Party candidate Josefina Aranda Santiago.
In December, Santa Monica got a new mayor when the council appointed Councilman Richard Bloom. He replaces Mike Feinstein, who served in the mostly ceremonial position for two years.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 31, 2002. Read the original PDF.