by Kevin Cody
Hermosa Beach voters selected two veteran council members to fill the two open council seats on Tuesday.
Incumbent Michael Detoy was elected to a second consecutive term. Michael Keegan was elected to a third, though not consecutive, term. Keegan was elected to the council in 2001, but was denied a third term in 2009.
Preliminary results Wednesday morning showed Detoy, a Riverside City Firefighter Captain, finishing first with 3,309 votes (26%), and Keegan winning 2,276 votes (25%). Keegan Founded Manhattan Bread and Bagel and has worked in real estate development.
The five-candidate field also included businessman and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Jani Lange, who finished third (2,726 votes/22%); former newspaper reporter and cable news producer Elka Worner, who finished fourth (2,484 votes/20%); and entertainment production company owner Brian Sheil, who finished fifth (844 votes/7%).
Worner, a first time candidate, said Wednesday morning she plans to remain active in local politics.
“It was a close race. I’d like to thank all of my supporters. We ran a great campaign, one we can be proud of.
We made our voices heard, especially our calls for change. I’m just getting started,” Worner said.
Sheils said he was satisfied with his first run for elective office, and also plans to remain active in local politics.
Detoy was the only candidate to be endorsed by his four fellow council members, a notable achievement because of the current council’s disharmony.
He was also the only candidate to support Tuesday’s Measure HB, which would have increased Hermosa’s sales tax by .75 percent. The measure lost, 43% to 57% (3,199 votes to 4,269 votes).
Worner wrote the Measure HB opposing ballot argument. But Keegan said Tuesday night at his victory party that he is open to putting the sales tax increase back on the ballot in 2026 if the council first makes clear how the revenue increase would be spent.
Detoy and Keegan appear to disagree on several significant issues facing the city. But Keegan said Tuesday night he looks forward to meeting with Detoy to find common ground.
Detoy also signaled, Wednesday morning, he will work with Keegan, saying, “His small business, and past council experiences will be an asset.”
“I’m Brown Act buddies with all of my colleagues,” Detoy added. (The State Brown Act prohibits a majority of elected officials from discussing policies together in private. But it allows a minority to discuss policies in private.)
Detoy supports the city’s ban on Short Term Vacation Rentals in the Coastal Zone. Keegan believes “the cat is out of the bag,” and that the ban is illegal.
Detoy voted in favor of retaining a consultant to facilitate community discussions on building or remodeling the civic center. Keegan said Tuesday night he will look at the city-owned storage facility across from city hall if the city needs more office space.
Detoy has been supportive of City Manager Suja Lowenthal. Keegan has criticized the city manager for adding staff, working remotely, and, with council support, spending too much on consultants. Keegan cited the $400,000 recently spent on a parks master plan as an example of excessive spending on consultants.
But despite their differing positions, Keegan said Tuesday night he looked forward to working with Detoy, who has often been the swing vote on the council.
Detoy said during the campaign that he prides himself on impartiality and accessibility.
Keegan said Tuesday night his approach to serving residents is “standing in their shoes.”
Keegan will replace Councilmember Justin Massey, who decided not to seek a third term.
Keegan reported the most funds raised among the candidates, with $22,475. Of this $21,000 was a loan he made to his campaign.
The balance of Keegans funds came from $250 donations, the maximum amount legally allowed. (The limit does not apply to loans a candidate gives to himself).
Keegan’s donors included John Burry, a leader in the opposition to the sales tax increase on the November ballot, and Baja Sharkeez founder Ron Newman.
Keegan had spent $12,086, mostly on postage and printing for mailers and lawn signs, according to his most recent Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) filing
Detoy has raised $18,445 in contributions, mostly in $250 donations, according to his latest FPPC filing.
Notable contributors included Fox and Farrow owner Seth Weiss; Hermosa Museum volunteer; Richard Resnichek; Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters; Hermosa School Board candidate Carol Kluthe (who was elected Tuesday night); and Firefighter Associations Political Action Committees from Long Beach, Los Angeles County, Modesto, and Chino.
Detoy reported expenditures of $12,518 for printing, postage, digital advertising and E-Fundraising Connections. ER
