Michael Soloff

MICHAEL SOLOFF I am running for reelection to the L.A. County Democratic Party Central Committee to continue fighting for housing, educational, social and economic security and justice for all. Here are some of these reasons you can believe I will do as I say.

I am a leading tenants’ rights and racial justice pro bono attorney as recognized by awards from Bet Tzedek (2014), the Daily Journal (2018, 2023), Legal Aid (2012), Public Counsel (2016, 2021, 2023), and the State Bar (2015). I established the right of Section 8 recipients to rent control eviction protections, established all tenants’ right to a jury trial in all evictions, and successfully represented the Bruce family in the return of Bruce’s Beach.

I was a leader in the creation of Santa Monica’s local rent subsidy program to allow at-risk seniors to age in place. I led the successful fight for two local ballot measures, each of which helps fund cost-effective homelessness prevention strategies, affordable housing creation, and public education, and I successfully fought for a measure limiting annual rent increases for Santa Monica rent control households to 3% maximum.

During my tenure on the L.A. County Democratic Party Central Committee, my tenure on the California Democratic Party Executive Committee, and my 10 years on the executive board of the Santa Monica Democratic Club, I have consistently insisted that candidates discuss their specific plans for homelessness prevention and response, and for affordable housing creation. And I have consistently voted for endorsement of legislation and ballot measures consistent with all aspects of our Progressive slate’s platform, and successfully led efforts to have LACDP endorse homelessness prevention and affordable housing funding measures.

I am inspired in these fights by the example of my Rabbi and Rebbetzin parents, who sent my father to Mississippi during Freedom summer to register Black voters after other civil rights workers were beaten or disappeared, and by the life work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg who I had the honor to work for right out of law school.

I also am motivated by my own life experiences. I grew up in a renter household, received a great public school education, and went to Brown University and Harvard Law School with financial aid, student loans, and my earnings from part-time school year and full-time summer jobs.

I am endorsed in this race by both the Beverly Hills / West Hollywood Democratic Club and the Santa Monica Democratic Club. Individual endorsements include (among others):

Congressman Ted Lieu

Board of Equalization Member and Past Chair Tony Vazquez

Senator Ben Allen

AD 51 Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur

Mayor of West Hollywood John Erickson

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Trustee Alicia Mignano

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Trustee Jennifer Smith

Santa Monica City Council Member Caroline Torosis

Santa Monica City Council Member Jesse Zwick

Santa Monica Rent Control Board Vice Chair Kurt Gonska

Santa Monica Rent Control Board Member Anastasia Foster

Santa Monica Rent Control Board Member Lonnie Guinn