Nothing beats a famous name

Bobby Shriver, brother of Maria, in-law of Arnold, son of Sargent and Eunice, got the most votes by far in the race for Santa Monica City Council. It was his first run for office. Now the game is to figure out if his politics will be closer to the liberal group that has dominated in the city for two decades, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights, or to the chamber of commerce, which endorsed Shriver. His win means that SMRR's majority on the council is down to four. Out is Michael Feinstein, who did not have the SMRR blessing this time. The current mayor, Richard Bloom, and longtime councilmembers Herb Katz and Ken Genser were all reelected, with many fewer votes than Shriver got.

Also: Good backgrounder on Shriver in the San Francisco Chronicle