Name: Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner
Malibu Resident for: Life, “one zipcode away.”
“I love this community because I’ve been here so long I know where all the skeletons are,” former council member and current candidate Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner said about why he decided to run again.
Wagner previously served on the council from 2008-2012, including as mayor from 2010-2011, but took a break from public service for personal reasons. Outside of his position on council, he has also been involved with the Civic Center Task Force, the Malibu Pier State Park Concession and is currently on the Board of Directors of the Adamson House.
Most Malibu residents will know Wagner through his surf shop “Zuma Jay’s,” which Wagner founded in 1975.
Wagner has previously received praise for his environmental efforts, including being named as environmentalist of the year by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association. Wagner said the person to receive the award before him was Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
If elected to council, Wagner said he believes following up on Measure R, an ordinance that, among other things, limits the number of chain stores permitted operate in Malibu, would be one of his main priorities.
Wagner also said there are a few properties around town that could be retired by the city and turned into community use. He specifically pointed to a property on Point Dume and another in the Civic Center.
Wagner mentioned he hoped he would gain support from those who remember his last term.
“[Voters who] saw my prior work as a council member, they’ll look at it somewhat favorably,” Wagner said about who he thought would vote for him.