By Jorge Casuso

December 5, 2025 -- On Tuesday, a new mayor will assume what is a mostly ceremonial post, but more than usual, the transition will alter the dynamics of the City Council and provide a contrast in leadership styles.

For the past year, Mayor Lana Negrete (left) -- a small business owner sharply focused on public safety and economic recovery -- has often found herself in the unusual position of helping shape the Council agenda as mayor while often being a lone voice.

Meanwhile, incoming mayor Caroline Torosis is the leading member of a 6 to 1 Council super-majority that has been sharply focused on building more housing, expanding social services and protecting the city's tenants.

As two of the longest serving Councilmembers, Negrete was appointed to the Council in June 2021 and elected in the November 2022 race where Torosis easily finished first.

And if a mayor represents the face of the City, the two Councilmembers offer starkly contrasting public styles -- Negrete is a fighter unafraid of speaking her mind both behind closed doors and in the media spotlight, while Torosis is more measured and diplomatic.

Negrete's final newsletter as Mayor and a letter sent by Torosis to the local media showcase their differing styles and governing philosophies.

"When I stepped into this role a year ago, I was still recovering from cancer and grieving the loss of my father and trying to keep the doors of our family business open," Negrete wrote. "And somehow, this year asked even more of us:

"A fire evacuation. Water outages. National Guard coordination. Caltrans road closures and encampment issues. Supporting bringing in five schools and multiple businesses during emergency displacement. A citywide manhunt.

"Hiring a new City Manager. Transitioning through the loss of our City Attorney. Meeting elected officials at every level -- more in 30 days than my entire prior tenure.

"Hosting embassy leaders exploring Santa Monica for Olympic houses. Meeting with ESPN, festival organizers, and major event partners. Advocating for economic recovery and activation. Strengthening ties between the City, SMPD, SMFD, DA Nathan Hochman, and community partners.

"And through all this, what I'm most proud of is the connection we built together," wrote Negrete, who recently played a leading role in derailing a transitional housing facility on Ocean Avenue for mentally ill homeless clients that caught residents by surprise.

"It has been the honor of my life to serve as Mayor of the city that raised me. Santa Monica is like any deep, long-term relationship -- beautiful, complicated, full of challenges and growth. But I am committed to doing this work with you and for all of us."

Incoming Mayor Torosis (left) , a consumer rights attorney who is a Senior Deputy of Workforce Development for LA County, highlighted the Council's work on "public safety and cleanliness," "economic recovery," "housing and renter protections" and "homelessness and behavioral health."

"I entered public service because I love Santa Monica," Torosis wrote in response to an anonymous mailer accusing her of "pushing an agenda imported directly from her employer."

"Throughout my career," Torosis wrote, "I have advocated for Santa Monica at the regional level so our city receives its fair share of funding for housing, homelessness response, transportation, economic development, and public safety.

"That work brings real resources home and helps reduce costs to local taxpayers. In a regional economy, effective leadership means showing up where the funding and policy decisions are made.

"Governing is complex. It requires balancing safety, compassion, accountability, economic vitality, and housing stability at the same time. It requires facts, not fear. It requires transparency, not anonymity."

Santa Monica, Torosis said, stands "for innovation, inclusion, and civic engagement. We face hard problems directly, and we solve them with honesty and accountability.

"I remain proud of the direction in which our city is moving, and I am clear-eyed about the work still ahead. I will continue to listen to residents, adjust where needed, and focus relentlessly on delivering measurable results.

"My door is always open to anyone who wants to engage in honest, open conversation about the future of our city."