Feinstein was first elected to the City Council in 1996 receiving 13,681 votes and finishing second amongst the thirteen candidates running for four seats [3]. Feinstein was re-elected in 2000 with 21,084 votes, finishing first out of thirteen candidates for four seats[4]. His vote total at the time being the second highest ever for any Santa Monica City Council candidate. In December 2000, Feinstein was appointed to a two-year term as mayor by a 7-0 vote of his colleagues[5]. In 2004 Feinstein sought a third term but was unsuccessful, finishing 9th of 16.