Derrick Townsend, a New Orleans native and the son of a military father and nurse mother, brings a deep commitment to service and hard work to his campaign for Santa Monica City Council. As a licensed Occupational Therapist with over 18 years of experience, Derrick has dedicated his career to helping elderly and disabled residents live safely and independently.

Following the tragic loss of his younger brother to a fentanyl overdose, Derrick committed himself to protecting other families from similar pain. He is running for City Council to break the cycle of ineffective bureaucracy, restore safety, and ensure that the voices of everyday residents are heard. Derrick has been proud to call Santa Monica Home for seven years where he enjoys the beautiful nightly sunsets on the beach with his three-year-old rescue dog, Frank.