Daniel Ivanov Will Run for Santa Monica City Council
The 30-year-old attorney and current Rent Control Board Commissioner has launched a campaign for the November 2026 election.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Remote Work
Live Poll
Should your city prioritize increasing housing density to lower the cost of living?
Attorney and Rent Control Board Commissioner Daniel Ivanov announced his candidacy for the Santa Monica City Council election in November 2026. Ivanov aims to address local housing affordability and the high cost of living as a primary focus of his platform.
Why it matters
The campaign highlights the ongoing struggle to balance housing supply with the economic realities facing Santa Monica residents. City revenue from sales and hotel taxes has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, making development policy a central issue for candidates.
The school funding measure on the November ballot is projected to generate $12 million in annual revenue for the district. Meanwhile, the city's sales and hotel tax receipts continue to trail pre-pandemic performance levels.
The players
Daniel Ivanov
He is a 30-year-old attorney currently serving as a Rent Control Board Commissioner in Santa Monica.
The details
Ivanov proposes upzoning the downtown core and removing parking requirements or minimum lot sizes to lower construction costs for new housing. He also intends to leverage city-owned land and Measure GS funds to incentivize the creation of affordable housing units.
Timeline
The Santa Monica City Council general election is set for November 2026.
Market Landscape
The proposal to utilize Measure GS funds for housing development follows broader trends in urban policy where cities attempt to bridge affordability gaps through specialized local tax revenue. This strategy positions the candidate toward leveraging existing municipal mechanisms rather than relying solely on private market development.
Residents may see shifts in local zoning laws and new development projects if the candidate's housing proposals gain traction. These changes could directly impact neighborhood density and the availability of affordable housing options for local renters.
The takeaway
The race highlights the tension between fiscal constraints and the urgent need for housing expansion in Santa Monica. Voters will be tasked with weighing these proposed land-use changes against the city's current economic recovery status.
Further reading
Learn more about the local labor climate in the Remote Work section.
More information
For more details on his platform and policy goals, visit the candidate campaign website.
Live Poll
Should your city prioritize increasing housing density to lower the cost of living?
