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WESTSIDE - At a gathering of supporters by the beach in Venice Sunday afternoon, attorney Mike Newhouse offered some new, out-of-the-box proposals to incentivize the business community to invest in California, creating greater opportunity, good-paying jobs and cut back on the red tape to unleash a better future for residents.
Speaking to a crowd of about 60, Newhouse rattled off a list of new ideas in this ever-increasing crowd of candidates to succeed the term-limited incumbent, Senator Ben Allen (D-24) of Santa Monica.
To date, eight Democrats and one Republican have already announced their intention to enter the 2026 Primary contest.
Newhouse explained that cutting back red tape is necessary for California to become a jobs creator.
Newhouse led by saying he would sponsor a "no tax" agenda for three years for new businesses started in the state.
He explained this would not be a tax credit, but a moratorium on taxes to drive new companies, jobs and a business environment that is a win-win for entrepreneurs and employees that would directly benefit from these investments.
This sprawling coastal senate district that goes north to Calabasas and south to Palos Verdes will be an expensive proposition observed Newhouse, characterizing it as "$3-million-dollar race," and that "it is what it is," when it comes to that part of the political campaign equation.
Newhouse told supporters that his goal is to raise $300,000 by June 1st and has already raised $150,000 in just five weeks.
Newhouse outlined his campaign as "building for a better future," as the crowd of family members, friends, business and community leaders were excited by the prospect of a favorite son candidate representing voters in the upper house in Sacramento.
As Vice-President of the Los Angeles Planning Commission and his long career as a land use attorney and real estate broker, Newhouse would work to cut the red tape in the appeals and entitlement process of building and construction in California.
"Red tape is weaponizing the housing and construction process. I want to cut out the years of permits so that developers don't windup building somewhere else."
Newhouse was proud of his efforts regarding "adaptable use" housing that sees a project turnaround in months that creates "livable, workable neighborhoods that are safe."
On the issue of homelessness, Newhouse noted that "the streets are not for living," and urged all anti-camping ordinances be enforced and creating affordable housing needs to be the priority.
Newhouse believes many of the challenges of today regarding the homeless crisis is due to decades of "wrong-headed, bad policy."
"We cannot stop building good, quality housing."
Newhouse said we need "the tents off the streets," and that our commitment to housing needs to be unprecedented.
Newhouse believes in "walkable communities, and that parking must be part of that long-term solution.
Newhouse spoke about what he described as "infrastructure neglect," and sees the Santa Monica Airport property as a "mixed use opportunity that will create jobs and revenue" for the region.
Newhouse re-committed to public access to our parks and beaches and that access was vital in terms of public transportation investment in electric and other modes beyond more parking for cars.
He noted the perception of public transportation being unsafe was a concern that needs to be addressed moving forward.
He proposed the use of public safety officers to maintain the integrity of bus and rail service.
For Newhouse, it is all about a commonsense approach, levelheaded public policy over politics as usual.
Regarding the film industry, give them incentives that are "easy and free" to come back to California.
"We may lose revenue in the short-term", but Newhouse believes the process of new and permanent after market revenue will "incubate jobs."
Newhouse described it as a "loss leader" approach in re-establishing a commitment to jobs for Californians.
As of April 2025, several candidates have announced their intentions to run for California's State Senate District 24 in the 2026 election.
Democrats:
- Eric Alegria – Board member of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.
- Ellen Evans – President of the Doheny Sunset Plaza Neighborhood Council.
- John Erickson – West Hollywood City Council member since 2020.
- Brian Goldsmith – Journalist, entrepreneur, and Democratic consultant.
- Brittany McKinley – Member of the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission.
- Nico Ruderman - Member of the Venice Neighborhood Council who previously ran for the California Assembly in 2022.
- Dr. Sion Roy – Santa Monica College trustee and former president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association.
Republican:
- Kristina Irwin – Palisades Charter High School trustee; previously the Republican nominee for this district in 2022.
This district encompasses a diverse range of communities, including Venice, West Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Bel Air, Century City, Sunset Strip, Laurel Canyon, Hollywood, Miracle Mile, as well as Santa Monica, Malibu, and several South Bay cities such as Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Marina del Rey, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and West Hollywood.
With no incumbent, this race is expected to be highly competitive, expensive, and attracting significant attention from both major political parties.
(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-two-year resident of Venice who covers politics and government on the Westside. Have a take or a tip? Contact him via e-mail at [email protected])
