Endorsed Candidates
Click on each profile to read the candidate's statement.
Mike Levin
United States Representative, 49TH District
Mike Levin
Position: United States Representative, 49TH District
Currently serving in his fourth term in Congress, Mike is a member of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, where he serves on the Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. Throughout his time in Congress, more than 35 of his bills have been signed into law by presidents of both parties.
Mike was raised in South Orange County, by a MexicanAmerican mother and a Jewish-American father. He is the grandson of Mexican immigrants on his mother’s side.
Since flipping the 49th district from red to blue in 2018, Mike’s top priorities in Congress have been combating climate change, protecting our coast, protecting our natural resources, supporting our small businesses, coastal communities, schools, and working to strengthen benefits and services for our veterans. Mike has also been a champion for a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions, and for the LGBTQIA community.
Since taking office in 2019, Mike is proud to have secured over $1 billion in federal funding for the district. For a detailed list of the funding, please visit: https://www.mikelevin.org/#funding
The independent and nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking rates Mike among the top five percent most effective lawmakers in the House of Representatives.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) named Mike Levin their 2024 Legislator of the Year because of his tireless and effective advocacy on behalf of veterans and their families. https://www.mikelevin.org/
Marni von Wilpert
House of Representatives in 48th District
Marni von Wilpert
Position: House of Representatives in 48th District
Marni von Wilpert is a San Diego City Councilmember, lifelong public servant, and former prosecutor who flipped San Diego’s most conservative city council seat blue – and she’s ready to do it again in Congress.
Raised in North County San Diego and a Peace Corps alum, Marni has spent her career fighting for working families — from helping write the Protect The Right To Organize Act (PRO Act) in Congress to prosecuting price gougers, polluters, and wage theft back home.
On the City Council, she authored California’s first ghost gun ban, launched affordable housing grants for teachers, raised wages, reduced emergency response times, expanded access to clean energy, and fought to combat the opioid crisis while protecting taxpayers and strengthening public safety.
Marni is running for Congress to tackle the skyrocketing cost of living, protect reproductive freedom, defend equal rights, and make Washington work for working families — not just the wealthy few.
With a proven record of service, results, and winning tough races, Marni is the battle-tested fighter we need to flip CA-48, beat MAGA extremist Jim Desmond, and lower costs for Californians.
Martha Abraham
San Diego City Council, District 4
Martha Abraham
Position: San Diego City Council, District 4
A healthy environment is essential to the health, safety, and quality of life of our community. Protecting our environment means protecting the health, quality of life, and future of every neighborhood. My campaign is grounded in the belief that every community deserves access to parks, open space, clean air, and resilient infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change.
Communities of color have borne a disproportionate share of pollution while receiving fewer environmental investments. I am committed to advancing environmental justice by ensuring these neighborhoods have a voice in decisions that affect their health and environment.
As a City Council candidate, I will champion policies that preserve our natural areas, expand parks and green spaces, and invest in climate resilience through sustainable infrastructure, urban tree canopy, and responsible land-use planning. Protecting our open spaces and preparing for a changing climate are essential to creating healthier, stronger communities for future generations.
With gratitude and determination, www.martha4sandiego.com
Antonio Martinez
San Diego City Council District 8
Antonio Martinez
Position: San Diego City Council District 8
For Antonio Martinez, District 8 isn’t just where he lives, it’s home. A lifelong resident of the community, Antonio was raised by his grandmother, who taught him the values that continue to guide him today: work hard, stay humble, and never forget where you come from.
Antonio became the first in his family to attend college, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania. Although his education took him across the country, his heart and commitment remained with the community that raised him. He returned home determined to use his opportunities to serve others and help open doors for the next generation. Antonio began his career as a healthcare educator at the Nestor Community Clinic, working directly with local families and helping connect them with vital information and resources. He later continued his public service through congressional work, helping residents navigate government and ensuring their voices were heard.
As a Governing Board Member of the San Ysidro School District, Antonio has worked to give local children the opportunities they deserve. He has helped strengthen educational programs, advocate for improvements to aging school facilities, and promote greater transparency and accountability.
Antonio’s story is rooted in the same neighborhoods, families, and experiences that make District 8 special. He understands both the challenges our communities face and their incredible potential. Now, Antonio is running for San Diego City Council District 8 to give back to the community that gave him so much and to make sure every family, every neighborhood, and every voice has a seat at the table.
Meghan O’Ryan Spieker
Del Mar City Council
Meghan O’Ryan Spieker
Position: Del Mar City Council
Meghan O’Ryan Spieker is a Del Mar Planning Commissioner, former business litigator, and nonprofit leader with a longstanding commitment to protecting California’s natural resources and communities.
For more than 10 years, Meghan has served on the board of the California Wildlife Officers Foundation (CalWOF), which provides citizen support to the wildlife officers who protect California’s lands, waters, and wildlife. California wildlife officers are on the front lines of protecting our environment, enforcing laws against poaching and other environmental crimes, and responding to threats to our natural resources. Meghan is proud to support their work and the important role they play as environmental stewards.
Before entering nonprofit leadership, Meghan practiced business litigation for 16 years at major international law firms, representing public companies and their officers and directors in complex disputes. She subsequently served as Founding Board Chair of Free to Thrive, a San Diego nonprofit providing legal services to survivors of human trafficking; as a Trustee of Francis Parker School; and in leadership roles, including President, with Teen Volunteers in Action.
As a Planning Commissioner, Meghan strives to serve with rigor, courtesy, and equanimity. She believes Del Mar can meet the challenges of growth while protecting the community’s character, natural environment, and long-term sustainability.
Meghan lives in Del Mar with her husband and four sons. She earned her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and her law degree, with honors, from Georgetown.
Jas Grewal
Del Mar City Council
Jas Grewal
Position: Del Mar City Council
Del Mar is at a turning point with important issues that must be properly handled.
This election will decide if we follow the Community Plan that has successfully guided Del Mar for more than 50 years or choose expensive ideas that could create unreasonable debt and weaken City essential services.
As a 34-year resident of Del Mar, being a Planning Commissioner for the last 3 years, a former member of the City’s Finance Committee for 8 years, Chair of the Citizen’s Taskforce for the 6th housing Element, and Del Mar’s representative at the Clean Energy Alliance Advisory Board, I understand the issues Del Mar is facing.
As a retired banker, I know the importance of careful planning and financial discipline. Borrowing millions of dollars to speed up projects we are already paying for over time could put Del Mar at serious risk, especially if the economy slows down.
If elected, I will help rebuild relationships with regional agencies, find practical ways to meet State housing rules, support moving the train off the bluffs without tunneling under homes or businesses, protect our fast emergency response times, improve wildfire and sea-level-rise safety without managed retreat, and preserve Del Mar’s special character.
I believe City Council members should be good stewards of our land and put residents’ interests first. I will be a leader Del Mar deserves serving with honesty, ethics, and integrity.
Please see Jas4DelMar.com for my civic experience, business background and decades of involvement. I would be grateful for your support.
Rimga Viskanta
Mayor of Encinitas
Rimga Viskanta
Position: Mayor of Encinitas
Rimga Viskanta is a candidate for Mayor of Encinitas and has lived in the city for two decades, where she raised three children.
She previously served on the Encinitas Union School District Board from 2016 to 2020, including a term as Board President in 2020. She currently serves as Vice President of the San Dieguito Union High School District Board of Trustees, elected in 2022, and has twice served as Board President. In this role she helped bring electric school buses to the district, facilitated the formation of its first districtwide Sustainability Committee, and is pushing for electrification measures in the district’s facilities master plan update process.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. She served as Senior Management Analyst for the City of Solana Beach, where her sustainability work included overseeing the update and implementation of the City’s climate action plan, citywide organics recycling, building decarbonization reach codes, and native habitat initiatives.
As Mayor, Rimga will prioritize climate readiness, safer streets, and smarter growth. That means adopting an updated Climate Action Plan for Encinitas, building mobility infrastructure, installing more solar power on city facilities, and protecting open spaces and rewilding as much public and private property as possible. She is honored to have the Sierra Club’s support and asks for your vote on November 3.
Senator Catherine Blakespear
California 38th Senate District
Senator Catherine Blakespear
Position: California 38th Senate District
Senator Catherine Blakespear represents California’s 38th Senate District, serving coastal communities across northern San Diego and southern Orange Counties. She is Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, the first woman ever to hold the position. Under her leadership the committee evaluated more than 120 bills in 2025 alone affecting California’s air, water, and the products Californians use every day, and she helped craft the landmark renewal of California’s cap-and-invest program, which holds the state’s largest polluters accountable and directs the proceeds toward clean transportation, clean air, and clean water.
Senator Blakespear has authored 24 bills signed into law, including legislation banning plastic bags at grocery store checkouts and protecting the property tax exclusion for rooftop solar and battery storage.
This session she authored SB 954, restoring environmental and public health guardrails weakened by last year’s overly broad CEQA exemption for industrial manufacturing. She carried it through both houses with a coalition including California Environmental Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Earthjustice. She also helped drive the Legislature’s response to the Tijuana River Valley pollution crisis, chairing a joint Senate and Assembly hearing and writing SB 1046 to protect lifeguards, park rangers, and other workers exposed to toxic cross-border pollution. Both bills await the Governor’s signature.
Sierra Club California has endorsed her re-election, and the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter honored her with its 2026 Political Leadership Award.
Before the Senate, she served six years as Mayor of Encinitas, where she adopted an ambitious Climate Action Plan and moved the city to 100 percent renewable power.
Tasha Boerner
California State Assemblymember, District 77
Tasha Boerner
Position: California State Assemblymember, District 77
My name is Tasha Boerner, and it’s been my honor to represent portions of San Diego County in the California State Assembly since 2018.
I’m a mom, businesswoman, and a former PTA leader who got my start in public service by fighting to get a stop sign installed near my kids’ school. After first hitting a wall of bureaucracy, we eventually succeeded. The experience taught me the value of listening, being persistent, and finding common ground in order to get things done.
I’m proud to have earned a 100% rating from the Sierra Club California last year, and I’m honored to have your organization’s endorsement. My priorities include building green energy infrastructure, safeguarding water, protecting open space, and making corporate polluters pay their fair share.
Prior to my service in the State Assembly, I worked for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and higher-education institutions. I received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley and a M.A. in International Studies from Claremont Graduate University. I’m a proud mom of two children. I hope to earn your vote.
Arielle Golden
Encinitas City Council, District 3
Arielle Golden
Position: Encinitas City Council, District 3
I am a passionate Encinitan, MBA and community organizer who has championed our local interests through the perspective of food and agriculture.
I have led major efforts to strengthen food security both in our region and globally. My work as the elected chair of the North County Food Policy Council united nearby cities, nonprofits and private entities to build a more cooperative and resilient food system. As our representative on the California Food Policy Council, I made sure North County’s priorities were heard at the state level and worked to develop city-specific plans for our region’s Organics (food waste) Recycling programs.
In the private sector, I brought together plant-based manufacturers and distributors to increase sustainable production worldwide. I enjoy the challenge of engaging in a room filled with different perspectives, negotiating and listening to create solutions that work.
I am running for Encinitas City Council to represent District 3, which includes my home and community in Cardiff. I am committed to fighting for our community needs, listening to the voices of all neighbors, and improving our quality of life.
Brad Lefkowits
Encinitas City Council, District 4
Brad Lefkowits
Position: Encinitas City Council, District 4
Brad Lefkowits’s connection to the Sierra Club began before he was born: his parents met at a Sierra Club singles event in the late 1970s. Their shared love of the outdoors became part of the family he grew up in and the values he now hopes to bring to the Encinitas City Council.
Brad is a small-business owner, husband, and father of two children who attend Encinitas public schools. His work as a landscape designer focuses on sustainable landscapes, climate-appropriate planting, native plants, water conservation, rainwater capture, and responsible stormwater management. Working throughout the region has given him firsthand experience with the environmental and infrastructure challenges facing our communities.
Since 2023, Brad has served on the City of Encinitas Urban Forest Advisory Committee, including one year as chair. He has worked to improve the city’s tree policies, protect mature trees, expand the urban canopy where appropriate, and promote safer, more resilient landscapes in areas facing serious wildfire risk.
Brad is running for City Council to restore Encinitas’s environmental leadership. His priorities include protecting open space, keeping beaches and waterways clean, updating and implementing the city’s Climate Action Plan, improving walking and biking infrastructure, and making thoughtful land-use decisions that align growth with infrastructure.
Brad believes environmental leadership must be practical, forward-looking, and grounded in science. He will bring his professional experience, collaborative approach, and deep commitment to the natural environment to every decision at City Hall.
Jillian Cocayne
Encinitas Union School District Board of Trustees
Jillian Cocayne
Position: Encinitas Union School District Board of Trustees
Jillian is a working mother and a special education parent whose daughter attends La Costa Heights Elementary in the Encinitas Union School District. She has spent over two years doing the work to prepare for the role of school board trustee. She has attended more Encinitas Union School District public meetings than any other community member — budget adoptions, facilities reviews, city coordination meetings and late-night controversies. She serves on the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee for Measure Z, the district’s $158.3 million facilities bond, and as a parent representative on the Special Education Parent Council.
She has more than 20 years experience in nonpartisan governmental policy across Washington D.C., London, and Brussels. That experience is not glamorous and entails sitting through hearings, reading legislation and picking out the language to improve to get the right result. These skills are what are going to make her a valuable school board member.
Attention to details is also what meaningful environmental commitments require. EUSD named environmental stewardship a priority in 2009. Since then the District has developed effective programs but they will continue to deliver results only if someone on the board is paying attention year after year, through budget cycles and board turnover. Jillian will be that person.
Jillian Cocayne ~ Does the work. For Our Students.
Bill Shen
Encinitas Union School District Board of Trustees
Bill Shen
Position: Encinitas Union School District Board of Trustees
I am a native Californian and the child of immigrants. California public schools carried me to Stanford - I have lived the promise of a high-quality public education.
As a professional corporate and non-profit board member, my day job involves reading budgets, testing assumptions, and holding management accountable.
Closer to home, I serve on the board of Coastal Roots Farm, our region’s regenerative organic farm and food justice nonprofit. I chaired Yes on Measure Z, the 2024 school facilities bond that is now funding modernization across EUSD. I am a PTA board and School Site Council member, a founding member of Parents of EUSD, and the parent of three children in EUSD.
On the board, I will work to make climate a standing part of how EUSD governs its nine campuses: cleaner, more efficient buildings paid for through Measure Z, safer routes to school, healthier grounds and food, and stable funding for the environmental education programs under threat in this election. I will work to create a district climate action plan.
I am proud to be endorsed by the Teachers of Encinitas, Representative Mike Levin, Senator Catherine Blakespear, and Assemblymember Tasha Boerner. I’m especially proud to have the support of the Sierra Club.
Chris Hargrave
Encinitas Union School District Board of Education
Chris Hargrave
Position: Encinitas Union School District Board of Education
My name is Chris Hargrave and I’m running for Encinitas Union School District Board of Education. I believe all children can achieve with the right support and interventions in place. As a public school teacher, vice principal, principal and researcher, I have dedicated my professional life to strengthening the public school system and consider a high-quality public school education a basic human right for all children.
I currently live in Encinitas and all five of my grandchildren attend schools in EUSD. I feel very fortunate to be involved in their daily lives. Which is one of the reasons I’m running for school board.
Also, I’m running to build on the work that the EUSD board of education has done to support teaching and learning in classrooms with their laser-like focus on student achievement and interventions for students who have not reached grade level standards. Lastly, we need to develop smart evidence-based limits on classroom screen time.
Helen Doyle
San Dieguito Union High School District Area 3
Helen Doyle
Position: San Dieguito Union High School District Area 3
As the daughter of a public-school teacher, mother of three school-aged children, and 16-year resident of Del Mar, I am invested in our schools and community. I volunteer in the classroom, am active with the PTA, and have regularly attended local School Board meetings for more than three years, giving me valuable insight into how effective governance supports student success. I’m entering my fourth year as a Director for Del Mar Union’s district-wide foundation, working collaboratively with district staff, teachers, and parents to raise funds for DMUSD STEAM+ teachers.
Sixteen years ago, I became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) advocating for the needs of foster children in court. I continue that advocacy by helping train new CASAs to work with biological parents toward reunification. My husband and I earned our foster license and adopted two of our children. My experience with the foster system has deepened my commitment to ensuring that every child’s voice is heard, and their needs are met.
My work as a mechanical engineer designing medical devices has taught me collaboration, problem-solving, and responsible stewardship of resources. I will bring that same mindset to the Board, including a commitment to sustainability and thoughtful, environmentally responsible decisions that protect our schools and community for future generations. I appreciate SDUHSD’s decision to increase its reserve percentage and its history of successful audits. I will support steadily increasing the reserve while balancing the needs of all students and staff.
Justin Moodie
San Dieguito Union High School District, Area 5
Justin Moodie
Position: San Dieguito Union High School District, Area 5
Justin Moodie is running for School Board in the San Dieguito Union High School District, Area 5. As a public high school teacher with 20 years of experience, Justin holds nine different teaching credentials and earned his National Board Teacher Certification as an expat in Ciudad de México D.F. Moodie was sent to China on a Fulbright-Hays fellowship to collaborate with their educators in the development of cross-cultural curricula. Later, Justin earned his Administrative Services credential and an M.A. in Educational Leadership at UC Berkeley, with a focus on social justice. Serving with the CA Department of Education, Justin worked to create the new state standards for Visual and Performing Arts, published in 2019. Justin was awarded a Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship by the National Geographic Society and joined Lindblad Expeditions on an expedition to explore Antarctica in February 2023. Followed by a collaboration with the Geophysics Department at U. Maine and an expedition to Mongolia sponsored by the Tang Center for Silk Road Studies at UC Berkeley, Justin has established himself as an educator sought out for international and outdoors experience from which to build new learning opportunities for students around exploration. It was no surprise when Justin became a CA Certified Naturalist. And, in November 2025, his extraordinary efforts were recognized when the California Association of Art Educators granted Justin the award for Secondary Art Educator of Year. Justin currently lives with his family in San Diego, CA and teaches CTE Photography at Oceanside High School.
Kristi J. Becker
Solana Beach City Council District 3
Kristi J. Becker
Position: Solana Beach City Council District 3
As a Solana Beach City Councilmember for the past two terms, I am proud of our leadership on environmental issues. We were the first to ban smoking on beaches, single use plastic bags, and polystyrene containers. We were also the first City in San Diego County to form a Community Choice Energy (CCE) program and now there are 13 cities and the county of San Diego in one of the two CCEs. I have been a founding member of both Solana Energy Alliance and Clean Energy Alliance, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.
Protecting our beaches and coastline is another top priority. We successfully completed a beach sand replenishment project and secured federal funding for future sand replenishment for the next 50 years. As Chair of the SANDAG Shoreline Preservation Working Group, I worked with all of the coastal cities to develop a long-term regional sand replenishment strategy to protect our entire fragile coastline.
Keeping our beaches clean and protecting our ocean are equally important. We passed an ordinance opposing offshore drilling, installed a beach litter pickup station, and added a Beach Borrow Toy Box, helping prevent beach toys from entering the ocean while giving future visitors the opportunity to reuse them.
Looking ahead, I will prioritize implementation of our City’s Climate Action Plan strategies and actions to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable future.
Protecting our environment is good for our quality of life and good for our local economy and businesses.
Jenna Dellamano
Solana Beach City Council District 4
Jenna Dellamano
Position: Solana Beach City Council District 4
Jenna Dellamano is a Solana Beach small business owner, nonprofit founder, and longtime community volunteer running for City Council in District 4. She and her family have called Solana Beach home for more than a decade and are actively involved in local schools, youth sports, small business, and community service.
Jenna holds an MBA from Northwest Missouri State University and brings more than 20 years of experience in business and finance. She spent more than a decade with Union Bank, serving as a Vice President in multiple roles, including managing municipal investments and bond proceeds for cities, counties, and states. Today, she is a small business owner in Solana Beach.
Jenna is also the founder and Executive Director of Solana Beach Backpacks for Kids and the Solana Beach Free Farmers Market. What began as an effort to address food insecurity has grown into a completely free farmers market held every Sunday at La Colonia Park. Through partnerships with local farms, grocery stores, restaurants, schools, and other organizations, the nonprofit recovers and distributes approximately 100,000 pounds of food annually - keeping good food from going to waste while supporting local families.
Jenna believes strong communities require thoughtful planning, fiscal and environmental responsibility, and meaningful local involvement. As a councilmember, she will advocate for responsible growth, protecting Solana Beach’s unique character and View Ordinance, expanding park and open space, supporting local businesses and preserving the quality of life that makes Solana Beach special.
Michele Tsutagawa Ward
Carlsbad Unified School District Board of Trustees
Michele Tsutagawa Ward
Position: Carlsbad Unified School District Board of Trustees
Michele Tsutagawa Ward was elected to the Carlsbad Unified School District Board of Trustees in 2022.
Environmental stewardship has run throughout Michele’s career, beginning at Solana Recyclers, where she managed grants from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, supported an oil recycling campaign, taught schools about composting, three R’s, and oil recycling, and edited the Generation Earth Education manual. With a Master of Science in Environmental Studies, concentrating in Education and Communication, she has supported environmental programs at the school site level.
Michele has dedicated close to three decades to public education. After earning her teaching credential from UC Davis in 1999, she taught in New Haven and Carlsbad Unified, securing an $8,000 grant her first year to launch her school’s first garden program, and was named Calavera Hills Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2012. She served on the CTA Region 4 Think Tank, then as Assistant Principal, Co-Principal, and Principal across Vista and Poway Unified before joining the school board.
As a founding member of the California Association of Asian and Pacific Leaders in Education, Michele worked with AAPI administrators statewide and was recently selected to join the National School Board Association advocacy work for special education.
Chris Waidelich
Carlsbad Unified School Board Trustee, Area 5
Chris Waidelich
Position: Carlsbad Unified School Board Trustee, Area 5
As a parent of two current Carlsbad Unified students, the spouse of a public school teacher, and a dedicated community volunteer, Chris Waidelich is committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. He believes strong public schools are the foundation of a thriving community and is running to help preserve and strengthen the excellence that makes Carlsbad Unified one of California’s top school districts.
Chris has served local families by coaching youth sports, mentoring students through LEGO Robotics, and serving on the Board of the Carlsbad Education Foundation. These experiences have given him first-hand insight into the needs of students, parents, teachers, and school staff.
An attorney with years of experience, Chris has built consensus, solved complex challenges, and made thoughtful, accountable decisions. He will bring that collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to the Carlsbad Unified School Board.
Chris’s priorities include maintaining academic excellence, supporting outstanding teachers and staff, promoting safe and welcoming schools, strengthening partnerships with parents and the community, and ensuring transparent, fiscally responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Chris is proud to call Carlsbad home and is committed to keeping Carlsbad Unified a district where students thrive, educators excel, and families have confidence in their public schools.
Eric Joyce
Oceanside City Council, District 1
Eric Joyce
Position: Oceanside City Council, District 1
Eric Joyce serves as the Deputy Mayor of Oceanside, California, where he is dedicated to building a community rooted in opportunity, equity, and sustainability. He has been a strong advocate for neighborhood investment, environmental stewardship, and policies that strengthen working families. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that Oceanside’s progress benefits all residents, balancing economic development with the preservation of the city’s unique working-class and coastal character.
As a local elected official, Joyce has been instrumental in advancing policies that promote transparency, community engagement, and environmental responsibility. He has championed expanded access to affordable housing through municipal investments and holding developers accountable for including affordable homes in new projects. Deputy Mayor Joyce also brought together a coalition of residents and organizations to establish Oceanside as an Age-Friendly City, so senior residents have the infrastructure they need to thrive. He further worked to strengthen public trust by increasing accessibility to city meetings and frequently hosting community-centered workshops. His leadership has helped position Oceanside as a regional model for how cities can grow responsibly while honoring their social and environmental values.
Beyond City Hall, Deputy Mayor Joyce remains deeply engaged in civic life. Alongside his wife and children, he works closely with local nonprofits, neighborhood leaders, and regional agencies to address challenges such as homelessness, gun violence, food insecurity, and coastal resilience. Whether in the classroom, the council chamber, or the community, Eric Joyce continues to bring people together to create a more inclusive and forward-looking Oceanside.
Emily Gonzales
Oceanside City Council, District 2
Emily Gonzales
Position: Oceanside City Council, District 2
Emily Gonzales is a mother, social scientist, and facilitator of collaboration and community engagement running for Oceanside City Council, District 2. She currently serves as chair of the Oceanside Planning Commission, where she has pushed for developer accountability and community-informed land use decisions.
Emily is the co-founder of The Swell Collective, an organization with a mission to support community organizers in their collaboration and peaceful conflict resolution. She leads by listening first: bringing neighbors, city staff, and other partners to the same table, and treating every conversation as a chance to learn something new and build connections.
Her academic background includes developing a program for emerging science journalists at the University of Hawaii’s School of Communications, giving her a research-driven, science-literate approach to civic life. That same instinct for translating complex issues into plain language shapes how she talks with District 2 residents about the decisions that affect their daily lives, from wildfire preparedness to growth that lowers emissions and pollution, preserves open space, and protects wildlife in Oceanside. She is also committed to addressing accountability to provide affordable housing for the people who work and build their lives in Oceanside.
A longtime Oceanside resident, mom to a sophomore in high school, and spouse of a retired, service-disabled Marine, Emily is running because she believes district-level representation should mean someone who shows up, listens, and keeps learning. Decisions made here, at the local level, matter just as much, if not more at times, as those made in Sacramento or D.C.
Dr. Joey Pearson
Oceanside Unified School District Board of Education
Dr. Joey Pearson
Position: Oceanside Unified School District Board of Education
Dr. Joey Pearson is an educator and community leader running for Area 3 on the Oceanside Unified School District Board of Education. A former public-school teacher and current professional learning director, he has designed curriculum, coached educators, and led programs preparing thousands of teachers for the classroom. He earned his doctorate in education from UCLA.
Joey believes every OUSD student deserves an excellent education in a safe, welcoming school. As a trustee, he will work to improve student learning and outcomes by strengthening special and bilingual education, expanding college and career pathways, and protecting student well-being. Endorsed by the Oceanside Teachers Association, he will support educators and bring greater transparency and fiscal discipline to district decisions—keeping resources focused on students, classrooms, and schools.
Joey’s environmental commitment is grounded in service. From 2021 through 2026, he led the Curriculum and Technology Team for the Sierra Club North County Group’s Wilderness Basics Course. He created its online companion course and modernized the curriculum, making outdoor education more accessible and inclusive.
This work reflects the leadership Joey will bring to OUSD: widening access to rigorous learning, using technology responsibly, and protecting the natural resources we share. His campaign is grounded in learning, belonging, and readiness for the future as he focuses on turning community voices into responsible action.
Nicole Crosby
San Diego City Council District 2
Nicole Crosby
Position: San Diego City Council District 2
Nicole Crosby is a working mom, Deputy City Attorney, and proud Clairemont resident, running to represent her neighbors in San Diego City Council District 2. She has dedicated her career as a prosecutor and community leader to standing up for victims of elder abuse, gun crimes, and hate crimes as well as representing her neighbors as the immediate past president of both the Clairemont Town Council and her local PTA. Nicole is running to bring accountability to City Hall and ensure District 2 remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Nicole is proud to be endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party and the San Diego City Firefighters. To learn more about Nicole, please visit her website at nicoleforsandiego.com.
Kyle Krahel
San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 5
Kyle Krahel
Position: San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 5
Kyle Krahel is a lifelong Californian, raised in Oceanside, and driven by a deep commitment to public service and progressive leadership. He graduated valedictorian of his high school and went on to earn a degree in Government from Harvard University. That academic foundation propelled him into roles that bridge grassroots advocacy with policy implementation.
In 2025, Kyle was unanimously elected Chair of the San Diego County Democratic Party. In this role, he leads strategy and operations for one of the most dynamic Democratic organizations in the country.
Kyle also serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director to Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA), where he oversees constituent services and district operations, helping translate federal policy into local impact.
His earlier public service includes roles as Planning Commissioner for the City of Oceanside, where he pushed for housing solutions and responsible development, and as a staffer to Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez. Kyle also worked on several Democratic campaigns on the East Coast before returning home to California.
His policy priorities reflect his values: compassionate homelessness solutions, strong public transit, workers’ rights, education funding, and criminal justice reform.
Corinna Contreras
Vista City Council District 1
Corinna Contreras
Position: Vista City Council District 1
My name is Corinna Contreras and I am running for re-election to the Vista City Council. Since 2018, I have worked to connect our community to resources, modernize our infrastructure, foster inclusive and diverse economic growth, expand parks and green space, make our budget process more transparent, and generate revenues that exceed our expenses so we have yearly budget surpluses to reinvest in our community. I have also focused on holistic public safety that reduces crime while improving outcomes for everyone, and I have created and implemented policy to address the climate crisis locally.
Dan O’Donnell
Vista City Council
Dan O’Donnell
Position: Vista City Council
My name is Dan O’Donnell, and I’m running for re-election to the Vista City Council. Since being elected in 2022, I’ve fought to protect what makes Vista livable: pushing back against developers who put profit over community, securing new parkland and green space, expanding our tree canopy, and banning pesticides in our parks to protect the families and wildlife that use them every day. I’ve supported greater mobility so residents have real alternatives to sitting in traffic, and I’ve worked to update aging infrastructure so it can meet the demands of a changing climate.
I’ve also worked to keep Vista affordable and walkable, because sound land use is climate policy too. Sprawl and displacement push people into longer commutes and higher emissions; building thoughtfully within our existing footprint doesn’t.
The work isn’t finished. As your Council member, I’ll keep showing up, keep listening, and keep fighting for a Vista that’s greener, more resilient, and more livable for the next generation. Now is not the time to take a step backward.
Dellena Olps
Mayor of Poway
Dellena Olps
Position: Mayor of Poway
As a mother of two, wife to a Navy veteran, and proud homeowner, we’ve rooted our family in Poway. My civic engagement as a community volunteer created the passion I have for protecting Poway. I volunteer in programs like: Poway Historical and Memorial Society, PGSL, PALL baseball, PTA and PUSD District Advisory Committee.
I’ll prioritize public health and safety, to address things like the dangers created by the increases in traffic. There’s an imminent need for solar lighted cross-walks, and e-bike regulations. Due to MTS route losses we need to implement a clean air shuttle system, and install more EV charging stations.
I’ll honor our city motto, “The City in the Country,” by preserving open spaces while revitalizing wildlife habitats. Re-planting native vegetation and trees, creating sustainable Farm Co-op communities, and enhancing parks by installing accessible playground equipment in all city parks. Working with schools to create a “Cap & Ring Collection” program, which educates families on proper recycling of plastic bottle caps and rings. Incentivizing schools to collect and turn them in, making recycling fun while kids learn to care about the environment in a greatly impactful way.
Together, we can build an inclusive and prosperous Poway. Your support will make the difference in a brighter future for all. I’m endorsed by the San Diego County Democratic Party.
Bob Walder
Poway City Council District 3
Bob Walder
Position: Poway City Council District 3
Bob Walder is a retired healthcare professional, biomedical engineer, business leader, and longtime community volunteer. He has lived in Poway since 1998 and built his career around healthcare, innovation, leadership, and service.
Bob began his career as a biomedical engineer and later became a cardiovascular perfusionist and Physician Assistant. He worked for Abbott Laboratories in its Hospital Products Division and was involved in the development and commercialization of healthcare technologies. He helped establish Digirad Imaging Solutions, a nuclear imaging company, and contributed to the commercialization of TearLab, an ophthalmic point-of-care diagnostic company.
After retiring from TearLab, Bob returned to clinical practice, specializing in ECMO and caring for critically ill patients requiring advanced cardiopulmonary support.
Community service has remained central to Bob’s life. He volunteers with the San Diego Police Department and serves as an administrator for the Rancho Bernardo Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP), coordinating operations and participating in community patrol.
Bob’s priorities are Public Safety, supporting properly staffed and responsive police, fire, and emergency services; Responsible Development, ensuring growth fits Poway and protects neighborhoods, infrastructure, and quality of life; Fiscal Responsibility, ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely; and Preserve Poway, protecting open space, hillsides, ridgelines, rural character, and the community identity that makes Poway special.
Kenneth Zuniga
Mayor of Vista
Kenneth Zuniga
Position: Mayor of Vista
Kenneth is a Latino community activist, environmental ally, Vista resident, and San Diego State University alumni. He is running for mayor of Vista to protect and expand the city’s green spaces. He believes that undeveloped land should be used as nature preserves, open spaces, or parks, not for development projects. He will protect the county’s MSCP habitat by ensuring the city collaborates with the county to prevent urban growth in these areas. He will also expand dedicated public land where possible.
Kenneth recognizes the global climate crisis as a real and growing problem. He will ensure the city expands and fully funds its climate action plan to create green jobs and help local businesses transition to green energy.
He plans to strengthen green transportation options by expanding and protecting bus and bike lanes and light rail projects. He will work to plant trees along city sidewalks and reduce Vista’s emissions by investing in public transportation and building a walkable, bikeable city.
He is running a grassroots, corporate-free campaign and takes no money from developers, corporations, or law enforcement. Therefore, his decisions on land use and the environment will be made without outside influence. Kenneth recognizes that the fight for the environment and the fight for working people are one and the same and that the Green New Deal must reach our most vulnerable neighborhoods first.
Andrea Beth Damsky, L.Ac.
Helix Water District Board Division 2
Andrea Beth Damsky, L.Ac.
Position: Helix Water District Board Division 2
Beth Damsky, L.Ac. is an elected official, serving on the Board of Directors of Helix Water District in San Diego County. An environmental scientist, she served on the Environmental Sustainability Commission of La Mesa CA from 2017 to 2022, with her last 3 years as its Chair. Andrea Beth is also a National Board-Certified Acupuncturist.
Climate change, environmental activism, drought, food insecurity, racial justice, and equity are among the many issues Andrea Beth champions. At age 11, she staffed Baldwin’s Efforts to Salvage Trash (BEST), one of our nation’s first recycling centers in Baldwin, NY. Andrea Beth has been involved in feminist politics, LGBTQ+ activism, AIDS issues, abortion rights, and electoral campaign work over the last 50+ years. In addition to her position on the Helix Water District, she is also a Commissioner appointed to the California Commission on the State of Hate.