Kurt Gonska is running for reelection to the Santa Monica Rent Control Board in the Nov. 3 general election. Three seats are open. Voters may choose up to three candidates.
Gonska is one of five candidates certified for the ballot. The others are Heather Thomason, Soledad Marcial, Sue Himmelrich and Zoe Muntaner. The nonpartisan race will appear on ballots across Santa Monica.
Candidate information
- Residence: Santa Monica since 2014, in rent-controlled housing, Gonska told the Santa Monica Daily Press
- Background: Grew up in Chicago and attended college there before moving to Santa Monica, according to Gonska's candidate statement
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Endorsement: Santa Monica Democratic Club, according to Santa Monica Next
Experience and public service
Gonska was appointed as an interim commissioner on the Rent Control Board in September 2022, according to the Santa Monica Daily Press. He won election to the board on Nov. 8, 2022, according to city records, and served as board chair in 2025, according to his city candidate page.
Gonska said in his 2022 candidate statement that he worked in marketing and talent partnerships at Dick Clark Productions and managed various federal, state and local political campaigns. His current employment could not be confirmed from available records.
On the issues
Rent control and affordability: Gonska supports preserving and strengthening rent control, arguing that it gives renters predictable housing costs and helps middle- and lower-income residents remain in Santa Monica. He identifies housing affordability and community stability as central priorities.
Housing conditions and tenant remedies: Gonska points to his work on increasing the amounts tenants can receive through rent reductions when landlords remove amenities or allow housing conditions to deteriorate. He presents those changes as part of his record of strengthening protections for residents in rent-controlled apartments.
Rental pricing and rent control governance: Gonska cites his involvement in banning algorithmic price-fixing software and developing rent control Charter amendments appearing on the November ballot. He also highlights helping hire a new executive director and general counsel. His statement emphasizes his board record but does not provide a detailed new-term implementation plan, funding proposal or timeline.
This profile is based on publicly available records and official candidate statements.
