Culver City School Board

ADA SoCal Lindsey Carlson for Culver City School Board

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Vote for Holly Mitchell for L.A. County Supervisor on Novermber 5th, 2024. 

ADA SoCal Endorses Sameen Ahmadnia for Culver City School Board

I am an Iranian American who was born and raised in an immigrant household in Orange County, California. In high school, I served as the high school liaison to the City Council. For college, I attended the University of California, Berkeley where I majored in Political Science, like most future attorneys, and minored in Middle Eastern Studies. After college, I went to the George Washington University Law School. In law school, I was awarded the Manuel and Ana Maria Benitez Award for Clinical Excellence in Immigration Law and was the recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. 

After graduation, I became an immigration attorney. As an immigration attorney, I work every day to make things fair and just. Following the 2016 election, I hosted the Refugee Ball as an alternative inaugural ball in Washington, DC, focused on uplifting the voices of our immigrant community who had been under attack by xenophobic rhetoric during the presidential election. I have completely dedicated my work to making space for our immigrant neighbors and was most recently awarded the Pro Bono Champion award. My work allows me to see systemic barriers that exist for all people and advocate for greater equity. 

If elected, I’m committed to improving access, wellness, and achievement for all our students.

My priorities include: 

• Modernizing and improving our schools
• Addressing climate change with bold action
• Creating and enhancing mental health programs
• Expanding opportunities for Spanish-speaking and multilingual students
• Focusing on student inclusion, including for students with disabilities

My focus is on putting our students first and giving them the resources they need, especially as we recover from the pandemic.

My experiences with our multilingual learner community at La Ballona highlighted the systemic barriers that exist across our district and motivated me to advocate on a broader scale. I want to tackle these issues, stress community engagement, and make sure every student, teacher, and staff member in CCUSD has what they need to thrive.

I appreciate your consideration and support as I work towards making a positive impact in our schools.

 Vote for Janice Hahn for L.A. County Supervisor on November 5th, 2024.

LOMITA CITY COUNCIL

ADA SoCal Endorses Kyle Wade for Lomita City Council 2024

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Vote for Konstantine Anthony for L.A. County Supervisor on November 5th, 2024. 

BURBANK CITY COUNCIL

ADA SoCal Endorses Eddy Polon for Burbank City Council

 Vote for Janice Hahn for L.A. County Supervisor on November 5th, 2024.

POMONA CITY COUNCIL

ADA SoCal Endorses Kyle Wade for Lomita City Council 2024

After graduating from UCLA Law School in 2004 I came to Pomona to sue slumlords and represent kids with disabilities. Initially I worked for a nonprofit and had a public interest fellowship to represent tenants. For example, I won compensation for two families living in a mold and roach infested building in east Pomona who suffered asthma, nosebleeds and constant migraines and something like PTSD from the endless roaches no matter how clean they kept their apartments; I helped an elderly couple near downtown Pomona living in a rented house where the roof was literally caving in and there was a big hole in the living room floor; One big case secured life-changing funds for nine plaintiffs from a mobile home park on Mission where the manager was an abusive tyrant and the owner was renting out storage sheds with hotplates and no bathrooms at exorbitant prices to people with criminal records and others who had literally nowhere else to go but the streets.

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When the fellowship ended I started representing students with disabilities full time. My clients are typically low-income, Spanish-speaking families who have a child with autism, or a learning disability, or ADHD, or health problems, or any other disability. The parents are struggling to get the school district to provide an adequate education for their children. I help kids get services and support they need to learn to talk, or read, or behave, or pay attention, or make friends—ultimately to learn and become as happy, productive and independent as possible.

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Vote for John Nolte for Pomona City Council on November 5th, 2024. 

SANTA MONICA CITY COUNCIL

ADA SoCal Dan Hall Endorses for Santa Monica City Council

Dan believes in walkable, livable  Santa Monica where everyone feels safe in downtown , neighborhoods and parks. Dan will insure our public safety departments and are fully staffed and equipped, work with county leaders to expand behavioral health services, and invest in infrastructure to protect bicyclists and pedestrians on our streets to reduce pollution and accidents and increase sustainable living.

 Vote for Dan Hall for Santa Monica City Council  on November 5th, 2024.

ADA SoCal Erika Leslie for Santa Monica City Council

With over a decade of experience in community leadership and advocacy, Ericka has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices of the unheard and underserved. From her role as Chairperson of the Santa Monica Rent Control Board to her work with various nonprofit organizations, Ericka has been at the forefront of efforts to address systemic injustices and promote positive change.

Ericka's journey as an equity advocate is deeply personal, rooted in her own experiences growing up in a community marked by inequality and discrimination. Determined to make a difference, she pursued a career in public policy analysis, earning an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from Santa Monica College.

As a candidate for City Council, Ericka is committed to bringing her unique perspective and expertise to the table, advocating for policies that prioritize equity, inclusion, and social justice. She believes that by working together, we can create a more just and equitable society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

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Vote for Erika Lesley for Santa Monica City Council on Novermber 5th, 2024. 

ADA SoCal Endorses Ellis Raskin for Santa Monica City Council

 Vote for Ellis Raskin for Santa Monica City Council on November 5th, 2024.

ADA SoCal Endorses Barry Snell Santa Monica City  Council 

Barry Snell is running for Santa Monica City Council to keep Santa Monica affordable for everyone, protect renters, and restore public safety. As a small business owner, certified public accountant, and Santa Monica Community College Trustee, he has the experience and record of real results our city needs.  

Barry Snell is a certified public accountant and small business owner with extensive ties to the Santa Monica community and educational institutions. 

He was appointed to the Santa Monica Community College Trustee Board in February 2014 and elected to the SMC Board in November 2014. Barry was reelected in November 2018 and 2022 through hard work and a results-driven approach. He has served as Chair of the Trustee Board in 2017- 2018 and 2022-2023.

In June 2020, Mr. Snell was elected to serve a three-year term on the State California Community College Board of Trustees (CCCT Board) and was reelected this past November 2023.

Prior to serving on the SMC and the California State Board of Trustees, Mr. Snell was a member of the Board of Education for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District from 2006 to 2010. Snell served as its President in 2009. He is also the former Vice President of Health and Safety and former Vice President of Community Relations of the Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Executive Board. He has served as President of the African American Parent Student Staff Support Group for Santa Monica High School.

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Vote for Barry Snell for Santa Monica City Council on November 5th, 2024. 

ADA SoCal Natalya Zernitskaya for Santa Monica City Council 

 Vote for Natalya Zernitskaya for Santa Monica City Council on November 5th, 2024.

SANTA MONICA RENT CONTROL

ADA SoCal Endorses Kay Ambriz for Santa Monica Rent Control

Rent control is crucial to protecting Santa Monica’s renters and safeguarding our city’s most vulnerable residents. Without rent control, I would have been priced-out of Santa Monica years ago – I know many other city residents share this experience.

It is only because of renter protection programs that I have been able to stand where I am today. Growing up, I experienced homelessness, and I understand the many challenges renters face. Since moving to Santa Monica, I have been an advocate for renters across the city. I am a former Santa Monica Social Services Commissioner and an elected member of the Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights Steering Committee.

I promise to fight for all renters, and I look forward to building a stronger, more inclusive city.

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Vote for Kay Ambriz for Santa Monica City Rent Control Board on November 5th, 2024. 

ADA SoCal Phillis Dudick for Santa Monica Rent Control Board

Phillis Dudick supports renters rights and is a member of the Democratic Party. 

 Vote for Phillis Dudick for Santa Monica Rent Control Board  on November 5th, 2024.

SANTA MONICA SCHOOL BOARD

ADA SoCal Endorses Jon Kean for Santa Monica School Board

As a neighborhood dad with two kids, I volunteered in our public schools, coached and refereed soccer for AYSO, and baseball for SM Little League. Like many involved parents, once the kids really wanted nothing more than a ride here or there (eventually they just wanted the car), I sought new ways to serve the community and settled on working at a deeper level in SMMUSD.

In 2016 I won a seat on the Board of Education. A year later I was named Vice President for a two-year term and this year my peers elected me to serve as President of the board. While I never anticipated leading SMMUSD and President during an unprecedented global pandemic, serving our students, staff, and community in a time of crisis was what the job called for. I am proud of how our district handled an impossible situation and that our students fared better than most in our surrounding communities. There is always work to do and there are always surprises, but I am hopeful that the voters will give me four more years to face whatever might come our way.

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Vote for Jone Kean for Santa Monica School Board on November 5th, 2024. 

ADA SoCal Maria Leon Vasquez for  Santa Monica School  Board

A native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, I have resided in Santa Monica since 1959.  I attended K-12 schools in Santa Monica, received an AA degree from Santa Monica College, a BA degree from U.C. San Diego, and a JD degree from U.C. Law San Francisco.

I was employed in a private law firm for 15 years and a housing nonprofit for 11 years. Since December 2007, I have been employed at Santa Monica College as a Project Manager running the Career Pathways Partnership grant.

I was elected to the SMMUSD Board of Education in November 2000, and served 22 years as the only Latina board member.  I have served in a Leadership role as past President and Vice President (4 years).

 Vote for Maria Leon Vasquez for Santa Monica Rent School Board  on November 5th, 2024.

ADA SoCal Endorses Jennifer Smith for Santa Monica School Board

As a dedicated advocate for quality education and community engagement, I am committed to continuing my work

as the leader needed to face the challenges before us as a Member of the Santa Monica-Malibu School Board. I ask

for your vote on November 5th. 

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Vote for Jennifer Smith for Santa Monica School Board on November 5th, 2024. 

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE BOARD

ADA SoCal Anastasia Foster for  Santa Monica College Board

I am running for Santa Monica College Board of Trustees because public education

matters. Community College is one of the best resources our society has for the improvement of lives among all our youth, our youth of color and non-traditional students, as well as the surrounding communities of Malibu and Santa Monica.

The development of our workforce is a big priority for me in an uncertain jobs market where skills of all kinds will be needed for success. Community College is on the forefront of those skills and opportunities, especially for marginalized groups.  The Santa Monica College Promise should grow and expand.  I believe I can deliver quality leadership to the College, its students and its faculty from my years of experience in good governance , fair labor practices and my background in education. 

 Vote for Anastasia Foster for  Santa Monica College Board on November 5th, 2024.

ADA SoCal Endorses Margaret Quiňones Perez  for Santa Monica College Board

n SMC trustee since 2000, Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez has proven leadership and decades of experience working in community colleges. As a Counselor at El Camino College for over 30 years, Dr. Quinones-Perez helped thousands of students, and her accomplishments included the establishment of 14 high school college partnerships benefiting hundreds of high school students in the area.

As a SMC trustee, Margaret’s accomplishments include developing partners with Malibu by establishing the Emeritus Program at the Malibu Satellite campus and advocating for numerous bond passages in Santa Monica/Malibu. Margaret is a member of the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the City of Malibu and continues to find ways to better serve children and adults in the Santa Monica and Malibu communities. She also supported SMC promise and

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Vote for Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez for Santa Monica College Board on November 5th, 2024. 

ADA SoCal Rob Rader for  Santa Monica College Board

Rob Rader is a highly experienced general counsel with over 15 years of general counsel, business affairs, operations, and government relations experience for multi-billion dollar media/tech companies, high-growth digital media companies, major and boutique law firms, government bodies, and non-profit organizations, including over $7 billion of M&A and financings. Presently, Mr. Rader is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at the Ovation network, a 50 million household television cable and OTT network focused on the arts and culture where he supervises a team of over 25 outside and in-house counsel.

Concurrently with his GC role and as part of his expertise with emerging digital platforms, Mr. Rader is highly active in education and local, state, and national government, including serving on the boards of the nation's leading community college Santa Monica College; leading public radio/podcasting KCRW; and leading business improvement district Downtown Santa Monica. Previously, he spent nine (9) years helping run business & legal affairs and operations for numerous departments at MGM Studios, including the $1.2 billion topline revenue MGM Home Entertainment and the interactive/online division, with extensive work on one of the largest film and video game franchises in history (James Bond). He also worked for seven (7) years at the major law firms Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp and Morrison & Foerster as well as founding a boutique digital media and entertainment firm.

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 Vote for Rob Rader for  Santa Monica College Board on November 5th, 2024.

WEST HOLLYWOOD CITY COUNCIL

ADA SoCal Endorses Zekiah Wright for West Hollywood City Council 

For nearly four decades, West Hollywood has distinguished itself as an eclectic, affirming and forward-thinking community. I’m running for City Council to continue that legacy while ensuring that our future is built on vision, smart investments and a commitment to implementing interest-based policies that help us meet our challenges and maximize our opportunities.

Housing affordability and renter protections must be addressed if we are to remain a diverse, multi-dimensional and livable city. We need policies and initiatives that address homelessness and affordable housing in ways that are strategic, sustainable and have benchmarks to measure success. Solving our problems and crafting equitable solutions takes the skills that I have cultivated throughout my life. My civic involvement in West Hollywood and my career as an employment lawyer have informed my perspective about the benefits of focusing on interests rather than positions. As a trained mediator, I understand how to educate rather than agitate and seek cooperation rather than conflict.

Navigating our way after the pandemic, has revealed and created new challenges for our businesses. I am a business owner so I understand these challenges. As our businesses implement higher minimum wages and safety measures, their viability has become uncertain. I believe that our businesses are a vital part of the unique fabric of our City. Their survival is critical and I will continue seeking collaboration and solutions to ensure we have a stronger business community.

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Vote for Zekiah Wright for West Hollywood City Council on November 5th, 2024.