The 2024 Malibu City Council election may be over, but the controversy surrounding the failed re-election bid of pro-development candidate Paul Grisanti is only just beginning.
At the heart of the story lies a toxic mix of personal relationships, media influence, and financial power, all leveraged in a futile attempt to unseat incumbents Bruce Silverstein and Steve Uhring – Malibu’s most vocal advocates for community preservation.
THE $25,000 DONATION TO MOVING CALIFORNIA FORWARD
At the center of this political storm is Malibu resident Phil Bellomy. Campaign finance filings revealed that Bellomy contributed $25,000 to Moving California Forward, the political action committee (PAC) that was funded by pro-development supporters to re-elect Paul Grisanti.
During this time, a well-funded smear campaign, marked by aggressive attack fliers sent out by “California Families for Progressive Leadership”, shocked the community and raised serious concerns about the ethics and tone of Malibu’s local politics. Residents heavily criticized the propaganda as excessively divisive and dark.
THE ROSS-BELLOMY CONNECTION
Adding another layer to the controversy is Bellomy’s close friendship with Burt Ross, a well-known columnist for The Malibu Times. Ross has publicly described Bellomy as “one of the kindest, most genuine people,” with their friendship serving as a recurring theme in his columns reflecting on community and personal values.
Both Bellomy and Ross publicly endorsed Grisanti for re-election, further intertwining personal relationships with the political drama.
Ross’s connection to Bellomy and his endorsement of Grisanti have raised questions about the role of media figures in shaping public opinion during elections.
THE SMEAR CAMPAIGN BACKFIRES
Despite the financial resources behind the attacks, the smear campaign against Silverstein and Uhring ultimately proved to be a colossal failure. Instead of weakening their support, the relentless propaganda bolstered their standing, catapulting both incumbents to the top of the vote count (currently) this election cycle.
In contrast, Grisanti’s distant fourth-place could bring a dramatic end to his tenure on the City Council, where he has been a staunch advocate for commercial development. His defeat would serve as a cautionary tale for future candidates: big money does not guarantee success in Malibu politics.
COLLATERAL DAMAGE
The fallout from the campaign also extends beyond Grisanti’s potential loss. Nathan Jones, the former president of the Malibu Boys & Girls Club Board, quietly resigned after it was discovered he had distributed a politically charged text attacking council member Bruce Silverstein.
Jones’s actions were widely criticized, particularly because the City of Malibu provides significant funding and benefits to the Boys & Girls Club. Furthermore, as a Board member of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Jones’s involvement in political activity could have jeopardized the club’s nonprofit status—a particularly egregious breach of ethical and legal boundaries.
Mayor Doug Stewart’s reputation will likely take an additional hit as more information surfaces regarding his vigorous defense of Grisanti, documented on an official city email chain. Stewart did so despite substantial proof of out of town developer funding Grisanti. His denial of the controversial financial support could end with Stewart facing the same fate as Grisanti should he decide to run for re-election in 2026.
THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE PREVAILS
In the end, it appears the will of the Malibu electorate will likely prevail, with Bruce Silverstein and Steve Uhring (so far) overwhelmingly re-elected for a second term. Their impending victory sends a clear message: Malibu voters prioritize integrity, community preservation, and ethical leadership over smear tactics and deep-pocketed campaign funding.
While we wait for election results to be finalized, pro-community, pro-preservation candidates Silverstein and Uhring continue too widen their lead. We can now look forward to the winners of the 2024 city council race swearing-in ceremony scheduled for December 9th.
As for Paul Grisanti, his current, and likely final fourth-place place standing serves as a stern warning for candidates eyeing the 2026 election: big money supporting dirty campaigns does not assure you a seat at the table in Malibu City Politics.
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