Note to readers: This post is written as a nonpartisan candidate briefing for Chamber members. Both candidates are Democrats; there is no Republican candidate in this race. The Chamber does not endorse candidates.

The full, unedited, generated transcript can be found here and a more in-depth summary that is not focused on purely Santa Monica issues can be found here

Where the Two State Senate Candidates Stand on Issues That Matter to Local Business

This fall, voters in the 24th State Senate District, which includes Santa Monica, will choose between two Democratic candidates:

John Erickson, a West Hollywood City Council Member and former mayor

Brian Goldsmith, a small business owner and Democratic consultant.

Both recently appeared at a candidate debate hosted by the Santa Monica Democratic Club, where they answered questions on housing, homelessness, public safety, the entertainment industry, and business regulation.

The Chamber does not endorse candidates in this race. But because whoever wins will represent Santa Monica’s business community in Sacramento for at least the next several years, we’re summarizing where the two candidates agree, and where they differ, on the issues most likely to affect local employers and property owners.

Housing and Rent Control

Both candidates agree California needs more housing, but they differ on how far to go in reshaping rent-control law. Erickson supports repealing the state’s Costa-Hawkins and Ellis Acts — which currently limit how far cities can extend rent control — and expanding rent control statewide. Goldsmith opposes repealing those laws outright, noting that past statewide efforts to do so failed by wide margins at the ballot box, though he says he’s open to updating parts of Costa-Hawkins with the right safeguards in place. Both say they would evaluate individual state housing bills based on local impact rather than voting a fixed party line, and both opposed SB 79, a recent bill that would have shifted more zoning authority to the state.

Homelessness and Public Safety

Both candidates pointed to the scale of state homelessness spending — Goldsmith cited roughly $24 billion spent statewide since 2019 — and called for more accountability from service providers and better outcome tracking. Erickson highlighted a behavioral-health and interim-housing program he created in West Hollywood, which he says corresponded with a steep local drop in homelessness. Goldsmith emphasized scaling up temporary shelter capacity and enforcing anti-camping ordinances once shelter is available. On Proposition 36, the 2024 measure that toughened penalties for repeat theft and drug offenses, the two split: Goldsmith supported it and says the shortfall has been in funding treatment programs, not the policy itself; Erickson opposed it and argues it has shifted unfunded costs onto cities.

Film and Television Production

Both candidates named keeping production in California a top priority, an issue with direct relevance to the district’s economy and its many vendors, crews, and small businesses that depend on local production spending. Both support strengthening the state’s film and TV tax credit and oppose SB 122, a bill they say would roll back last year’s expansion of that credit. Neither supports the proposed Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery merger as structured; Goldsmith favors a negotiated settlement with the state that keeps jobs in California, while Erickson favors letting the state’s legal challenge to the merger proceed.

Business Regulation and Data Privacy

Asked about AB 2564, a bill that would ban retailers from using personal data to charge different customers different prices, Goldsmith said he could support it once its scope is narrowed to avoid unintended effects on legitimate loyalty and discount programs, and that he prefers to review final bill language before committing.

Erickson said he would not support the bill as described, citing broader concerns about corporate use of surveillance technology and consumer data. This is one area where members with retail or e-commerce operations may want to watch how the final bill language develops.

Utility Costs and Wildfire Liability

Both candidates said the cost of wildfire damage caused by utility equipment should not be shifted onto ratepayers. Goldsmith proposed a coordinated regional rebuilding authority to speed recovery after major fires. Erickson called for breaking up PG&E and criticized reliability issues with Southern California Edison, both relevant to members concerned about rising utility costs and service disruptions.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Both candidates support expanding regional transit and improving alternatives to driving, with Erickson pointing to his experience securing local transit financing as mayor, and Goldsmith adding a call for fiscal discipline on large infrastructure projects like high-speed rail.

Santa Monica Airport Redevelopment

Both candidates support the city’s plan to convert the airport site to a public park after it closes by the end of 2028, and both said they would oppose any state effort to mandate housing on that site without a vote of Santa Monica residents. Goldsmith emphasized building a sustainable, self-funding revenue model for the future park; Erickson emphasized pursuing state budget support for the conversion.

The Bottom Line for Members

On core business-relevant questions like keeping film and TV production local, ensuring wildfire costs don’t fall on ratepayers, and supporting the airport-to-park transition, the two candidates largely align.

Their clearest differences are on rent control policy and how far state regulation of pricing and data practices should go. The Chamber will continue to track this race and share updates as the candidates’ positions develop ahead of the election.

*This summary is based on the candidates’ own statements at the August 2026 Santa Monica Democratic Club debate and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute an endorsement by the Chamber of Commerce.*