Ken Genser

Ken Genser (November 11, 1950 – January 9, 2010) was mayor of Santa Monica, California, until he died in office. Genser also served on the Santa Monica City Council.[1]

Political career

Genser served as a member of the Santa Monica Planning Commission and Santa Monica City Council. He was described as an advocate for affordable housing and the restoration of the Santa Monica Pier.[2] Genser served on the City Council from 1988 until his death in 2010, and he was elected to the mayorship in 1992, 2000, and 2008.[3][4] At the time of his death, he was Santa Monica's longest-serving councilmember.[5]

According to a 1990 Los Angeles Times article, Genser was an opponent of new real estate development.[6][7] A 1993 Los Angeles Times article described Genser as being part of the "militant slow-growth faction" of the City Council.[8] He was also reported to have been associated with the pro-renter faction in Santa Monica politics.[9]

Prior to his election to the City Council in 1988, Genser served as the Chair of Santa Monicans for Renters' Rights.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Ken Genser dies at 59; Santa Monica mayor and councilman - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. January 11, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Mayor Genser dead at 59". Santa Monica Daily Press. January 11, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  3. ↑ William-Ross, Lindsay (January 9, 2010). "Santa Monica Mourns Loss of Mayor Ken Genser". LAist. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Santa Monica Mayor Genser was `indefatigable champion'". Daily Breeze. January 9, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Mayor Genser remembered as tenacious". Santa Monica Daily Press. January 25, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ Moran, Julio (November 29, 1990). "2 to Split Santa Monica Mayoralty : Politics: Council members Ken Genser and Judy Abdo, both in tenants group, will each serve a year". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  7. ↑ "They Loaded Up the Film and Shot in Beverly". Los Angeles Times. October 17, 1993. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  8. ↑ Hill-Holtzman, Nancy (April 25, 1993). "NEWS ANALYSIS : Acrimony Seems This Council's Hallmark : Politics: Ken Genser and Kelly Olsen have staked out a distinctly contrarian agenda. They prefer to call it a vision for the city". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Planning Board Appointment Protested". Los Angeles Times. June 27, 1985. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  10. ↑ Wilkinson, Tracy (November 10, 1988). "Liberals Back in Control of Santa Monica City Council". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2026.