Marsha McLean was named Santa Clarita mayor Tuesday, after a heated debate on who would take the seat at the head of the council.

Councilmember Bob Kellar first nominated Cameron Smyth for mayor, in an upset expecting the nomination to be former Mayor Pro Tem McLean, who was next in line for the seat.

“I believed the community to be better served by Cameron Smyth, so that is why I nominated him,” said Kellar.

McLean countered Kellar’s nomination, citing the 25,000 Santa Clarita residents that elected her into office in November.

“This is a shock and a surprise, and it is unwarranted,” said McLean. “I have served as mayor before and I have served it honorably.”

Smyth was named mayor pro tem after a nomination of Councilmember Laurene Weste, who advocated for a unity on the council.

Weste was the deciding vote in favor of McLean for mayor, with Smyth and Kellar voting against the motion.

“I have no problem with Marsha being the mayor at all,” said Smyth. “(Miranda and Weste) went against what you said in your previous comments, now I am the one voting no. It makes the City look unprofessional.”

McLean previously served as mayor in 2007, 2011 and 2015 during her 16 years on the Santa Clarita City Council.

Santa Clarita residents do not directly vote for mayor, the City Council is elected then the five members vote on who heads the city.

The City of Santa Clarita is governed by a council-manager system, meaning the councilmembers direct and develop local policy, while the manager oversees the implementation.

“Being named mayor, doesn’t mean you run the city,” said Weste. “Ken Striplin runs this city. It takes a lot of energy to get through all of this.”

The Santa Clarita mayor serves for one year, out of their four-year term on the City Council.

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