Empower Santa Monica: Ericka Lesley for City Council

Hello, Santa Monica!

I'm Ericka Lesley, and I'm honored to introduce you to my campaign, Ericka Lesley for City Council. With a strong belief in community empowerment and inclusivity, I'm dedicated to building a brighter future for all residents of our city. My extensive experience in community leadership and advocacy has equipped me to address the pressing issues facing our community.

As a candidate for City Council, my platform is centered around representation for the underserved, inclusionary practices, equity advocacy, and justice. I believe that every voice deserves to be heard and every community deserves equal access to resources. Through my campaign, I aim to amplify the voices of the unheard and work towards a more just and equitable Santa Monica.

To learn more about my platform and how you can get involved, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can contact me directly at (424) 282-9970 or visit me at my office in California, Santa Monica. Together, let's build a stronger, more inclusive community for all.

The top priorities of our campaign are affordability, homelessness, and public safety—three deeply interconnected issues that directly shape the quality of life for everyone in Santa Monica.

On affordability, Ericka is committed to protecting rent-controlled housing, expanding deed-restricted affordable housing—particularly on publicly owned land—and preserving Santa Monica as a city where working families, seniors, and long-term residents can afford to live and thrive. A strong community depends on retaining the people who teach our children, care for our families, serve our businesses, and keep our city running.

On homelessness, Ericka supports a coordinated regional strategy that balances compassion with accountability. That means expanding access to permanent supportive housing, mental health care, and substance use treatment while ensuring our parks, sidewalks, and public spaces remain safe, clean, and welcoming for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

On public safety, Ericka believes in a community-centered approach that strengthens traditional public safety resources while making smart investments in prevention. Research consistently shows that addressing the root causes of crime—such as economic instability, lack of opportunity, untreated mental illness, and substance use disorders—creates safer neighborhoods and delivers more sustainable public safety outcomes for everyone.

As a candidate for City Council, my commitment to the people of Santa Monica is unwavering. With a background in community leadership and advocacy, I have the experience and passion to effectively represent the interests of our diverse community.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to addressing injustices and amplifying the voices of the underserved. As a recipient of the 2024 League of Women Voters Yellow Rose Award, I am honored to be recognized for my contributions to our community.

When you support me for City Council, you're supporting a candidate who will always put people first. Together, let's work towards a brighter future for Santa Monica. Contact me today to learn more about my campaign and how you can get involved.