Meet Santa Monica Rent Board Chair Danny Ivanov

Danny Ivanov is running for Santa Monica City Council because he believes the city should still be a place where people can build a life, not just get by.

Danny is the son of immigrants who came to the United States with very little and worked multiple jobs to give their family a shot at something better. Growing up, he saw both sides of the economic divide—what it looks like to struggle, and what it takes to move forward anyway. That experience stayed with him, and it’s why he’s spent his career focused on fairness, opportunity, and making systems work for real people.

Today, Danny is an attorney who works on complex legal issues, helping navigate disputes, policy, and compliance at a high level. His work has given him a clear understanding of how government decisions impact people’s day-to-day lives and how important it is to get those decisions right.

But Danny’s connection to Santa Monica isn’t just professional—it’s personal.

Like so many residents, he relies on the protections that make it possible to live here. He understands how quickly the rising cost of living can push people out, and how fragile that stability has become for working people, young professionals, and families trying to stay in the community.

That’s what led him to step up and serve.

Danny was elected to the Santa Monica Rent Control Board and now serves as Chair, helping oversee one of the strongest tenant protection systems in California. In that role, he’s focused on making fair, balanced decisions, bringing people together, listening to different perspectives, and making sure the outcome works for the community as a whole.

He’s also been deeply involved in local Democratic organizing, working with community leaders and grassroots activists to support candidates and causes that reflect Santa Monica’s values.

Now, he’s running for City Council at a moment when Santa Monica is facing real challenges—and real choices.

The cost of living continues to rise. Small businesses are struggling to recover. Key areas of the city need new energy and investment. And residents want clean, safe neighborhoods where they can feel proud to live.

Danny believes the answer isn’t more division or politics as usual—it’s bringing people together to actually solve problems.