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Across the Central Coast, working families build the economy, raise the next generation, and hold the community together. They deserve leaders who do the same. Meet the candidates fighting for them.
Seaside
Santa Cruz
Watsonville
Leaders across the Central Coast working to strengthen their communities and support working families.
Mayor of City of Seaside
Alex Miller for Mayor of Seaside. Currently Alex serves as a Councilmember and has for the past three years. Alex has a passion for community service, and has worked in Santa Cruz and Monterey County schools for the past 25 years. On council, he has been outspoken about smart development and public safety in all forms in the community, and giving the community a voice at City Council.
City Council, City of Seaside
Rita Burks for Seaside City Council. Before being on Council, Rita was a school principal and first ran for City Council in 2022 to serve the Seaside community. She is the first Latina on Seaside City Council and has committed to strengthening public safety, supporting children and youth in the community, improving public safety and planning responsibly for housing.
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City Council, City of Seaside
Lacey Raak for Seaside City Council. Prior to being in Seaside City Council, Lacey moved to the Monterey Peninsula to study international environmental policy and started her family in Seaside. She is the Executive Director of the California Green Business Network and volunteers in her community to care for parks and open spaces in Seaside.
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Mayor of Santa Cruz
Ami is a non-profit director and mental health educator who has lived in Santa Cruz for nearly 30 years. For 30 years, she has worked extensively with cities and counties to improve juvenile justice, alternative schools, and homeless services, and has served on community boards including the Santa Cruz Community Advisory Committee on Homelessness and the Conflict Resolution Center. She is running to bring innovative leadership on climate crisis, housing and homelessness, and fire preparedness, and to bring youth hope and inspiration through county leadership.
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Council District 5, Watsonville
Casey has served as a Watsonville City Councilmember for the past four years and brings a background in mental health, arts advocacy, and housing equity work. As a mental health professional and treasurer for Independence Square HUD Housing—a project serving seniors and disabled residents—he has deep insight into community needs. His priorities include repairing infrastructure, improving pedestrian safety, investing in youth enrichment, supporting small businesses, and bringing neighbors together to find solutions.
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Council District 7, Watsonville
Ed is a native son of Watsonville with experience in the organic and conventional berry industry, food safety, and business development. He has served as a Santa Cruz County Board of Education Trustee, Chairman of the Watsonville Planning Commission, and has been a Little League coach for over 12 years while serving on the Independence Square Board for seniors and disabled residents. His priorities include strengthening public safety, improving parks and infrastructure, creating affordable housing for families and seniors, expanding economic development and job creation, and preserving the region's natural resources.
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