Santa Monica appoints new City Clerk; Walfred Solorzano appointed following national recruitment

September 3, 2026 7:22 PM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2026) - The Santa Monica City Council has appointed Walfred Solorzano to serve as the city of Santa Monica's next City Clerk. The appointment concludes a national recruitment that began earlier this year and was overseen by a Council ad hoc committee.

He succeeds Interim City Clerk Denise Anderson-Warren, who retired from the post in 2023 and returned in January to lead the office during the search.

"Walfred has built a career within City Clerk offices throughout the state," said Mayor Caroline Torosis. "That depth of experience is what Santa Monica needs to ensure our City Clerk's Office continues to operate smoothly and effectively. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Denise for returning to manage the City Clerk's Office while we conducted this search."

Solorzano has worked in local government for more than two decades, with nearly a decade of experience as a City Clerk, Assistant City Clerk or Deputy City Clerk. He served as City Clerk for the city of Sausalito from December 2022 to July 2026 and has been serving as Interim City Clerk for the city of Lodi since July 28. Before Sausalito, he was Assistant City Clerk for the city of Half Moon Bay and had previously worked for other cities throughout California.

"I've spent more than 20 years in government, and I still believe in the deeply human business of public service. Local government matters because this is where democracy becomes accessible to everybody," said Solorzano. "Being selected as Santa Monica's City Clerk feels like both a homecoming and a new adventure. I'm excited to bring my experience and energy to the job, and to serve a city and community that has never been afraid to have a personality of its own."

Solorzano has a bachelor's degree from Azusa Pacific University. He will join the city effective Monday, Sept. 21.

The City Clerk is Santa Monica's elections official, Political Reform Act filing officer, and compliance officer for the Brown Act and the Public Records Act. The City Clerk's Office prepares City Council Agendas and records Council proceedings, manages the city's records and public records requests, runs the Boards and Commissions appointment process, and accepts passport applications.

For more information about the City Clerk's Office, visit santamonica.gov/departments/city-clerks-office.

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