Wade Kelley is running for Santa Monica City Council in the Nov. 3 general election. Three seats are open in the nonpartisan race. Voters choose up to three candidates.
Kelley, a member of the city's Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee, has centered his campaign on affordable housing and opposition to criminalizing homelessness, according to his candidate questionnaire responses published by the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Candidate information
- Office sought: Santa Monica City Council (3 seats, nonpartisan)
- Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
- Ballot status: Certified
- Education: Alabama School of Fine Arts (1977)
Experience and public service
Kelley serves on the Measure GS Resident Oversight Committee, holding a Lower Income Seat designated for a formerly homeless senior citizen in a deed-restricted unit. The Santa Monica City Council appointed him to the committee. His term runs from March 25, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Kelley's candidate questionnaire responses published by the Santa Monica Daily Press. They reflect the candidate's own statements.
Homelessness
Kelley said Santa Monica has disproportionately contributed to the housing and homelessness crisis by not building enough affordable housing for poor residents. "Housing is a Human Right," he said in his questionnaire responses. He opposes criminalizing homelessness and poverty. He called for transitional housing, secure 24-hour public restrooms, more professionals to connect people with services and more affordable housing.
Economy and housing
Kelley said he would work to make it easier for employees working in Santa Monica to live in the city. He proposed more affordable housing and programs to help workers afford local housing. He also proposed using Santa Monica Airport land and other city-owned properties for affordable housing and called for raising taxes on the rich.
Public safety
Kelley said the most important job of government is to protect all citizens from violence, including unhoused residents. He said statistics show homeless people are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violent crime. He opposes laws that criminalize sleeping bags and bed rolls for homeless people without providing alternative housing.
The other certified candidates in this race are Ashley Oelsen, Brett Morrow, Caroline Torosis, Daniel S. Ivanov, Derrick Townsend, Doug Trussler, Eli Gill, Ericka Lesley, Lana Negrete, Lindsay Davis and Phil Brock.
Candidate questionnaire responses were published by the Santa Monica Daily Press. The Santa Monica Wave will profile each certified candidate as election information becomes available.
