✨City Council and Mayoral Candidates Seeking DWMC Endorsement✨

There are multiple candidates seeking DWMC Endorsement in the Marina Mayoral & Seaside City Council races. Those candidates are marked with ‼️ and include a link to their video interview with DWMC Members.

Dr. Kim Barber • District 1 - City Council for City of Monterey

I am running for reelection because I believe the people who make Monterey work should be able to make a life in Monterey. I love this city, but I also know that loving Monterey means being honest about the pressures people are experiencing. Housing costs, childcare, transportation, healthcare, infrastructure and the everyday cost of living are making it harder for workers, families, seniors and younger residents to stay in the community they serve. During my first term, I have had the responsibility of moving from advocacy to governing: listening to residents, weighing competing needs, making difficult public decisions and being accountable for the outcomes. I am running because that work is not finished. I want Monterey to remain safe, environmentally responsible and economically strong while becoming more affordable, responsive and accessible. I also want residents to understand not only what City Hall decides, but why decisions are made and how they can help shape them. A city people love should also be a city people can afford to stay in. I am running to keep doing the practical, collaborative work required to make that possible.

Hans Buder • Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea

I’m a father of three young children, former Teach For America teacher, nonprofit founder, and social impact investor focused on creating opportunities for low-income children. In my time on the Carmel City Council I’ve taken a hands-on approach—leading efforts to advance affordable housing, strengthen our finances, and improve wildfire preparedness. I’m running for Mayor to preserve Carmel’s character and small-town way of life while addressing the challenges that will shape our future. My priorities are building a more accountable City government, upgrading our aging infrastructure, and addressing the decline in the number of full-time residents, especially families with children.

Athena Rita Burciaga • Marina City Council District 4

My name is Athena Burciaga. I'm a community organizer, a proud Chicana, and the daughter of a working-class family. Growing up, we didn't have much, but we always had each other. That taught me our greatest strength comes from working together and building a community where everyone has the chance to succeed. I'm running for City Council because local government should put Marina residents first, not outside interests. Without thoughtful leadership, Marina risks becoming a bedroom community for Silicon Valley, driving up housing costs and making it harder for working families, seniors, and young people to keep calling Marina home.

rita burks • Seaside City Council ‼️

I am running for re-election to the Seaside City Council because our community deserves experienced leadership, measurable progress, and a clear vision for the future. Serving as your Councilmember—and as the first Latina elected to the Seaside City Council—has been an honor. My priorities remain clear: improving public safety, investing in infrastructure, expanding housing, supporting local businesses, and maintaining fiscal responsibility. As a school principal, I lead with accountability, transparency, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making. These values guide my service on the Council. Together, we can build safer neighborhoods, strengthen our economy, and create opportunities for every Seaside resident. I respectfully ask for your vote.

*There are multiple candidates for this seat seeking a DWMC endorsement. Please check out our video interview with Rita Burks HERE

Cynthia Garfield • Pacific Grove Councilmember, District 1

I have served on PG Council for the 2016-2020 term and from 1/15/25 to the present. I bring experience in building effective working groups, improving organizations and supporting staff's capacities. My training in facilitation, mediation and strategic planning supports the Council in effective deliberation, building consensus and structuring sound solutions that create a better future for my community. I am committed to protecting our stellar environment and to finding ways to make PG more affordable for all. The decisions we face require that we work well together and I can help make that a reality.

Lori McDonnell • Pacific Grove City Council Member At-large

Serving on City Council and the Community Human Services and AMBAG Boards has helped me understand the diverse needs of our community. I am committed to advocating for solutions that promote social and economic justice for all members of our community. I will continue working to protect the environment, which is critical to our health and economic vitality. As a renter, I advocate for affordable housing and will continue working with local leaders and residents to identify solutions. I am committed to listening to and working collaboratively with residents, staff, and local leaders to find common-ground solutions to community challenges.

Annalisa "Lisa" Mitchell • Seaside City Council ‼️

Seaside didn’t just raise me - it shaped my values, my purpose, and my commitment to serving others. As a proud third-generation Seaside resident, this community is not just where I live, it is home.

For more than 20 years, I have dedicated my career to behavioral health, rehabilitation, and reentry, helping people rebuild their lives and strengthening our community. I proudly serve through affordable housing and community organizations, always striving to make a difference.

I am running for City Council because every resident deserves to be heard, valued, and included.

Service to Seaside isn’t something I decided to do when I entered this race. Service is what I’ve been doing my whole life. We Are Better Together.

*There are multiple candidates for this seat seeking a DWMC endorsement. Please check out our video interview with Annalisa Mitchell HERE

Mike Moeller • Mayor, City of Marina ‼️

I am a Respiratory Care Practitioner with 15 years in public healthcare and thousands of volunteer hours serving Marina. I’m a lifetime member of Democratic Women of Monterey County, longtime SEIU 521 member, COPE member, Marina Democratic Club board member, and alternate to the Monterey County Democratic Central Committee. I founded Repair Café Marina and serve in leadership roles with Marina Rotary, Marina in Motion, MPRPD’s Citizens Oversight Committee, and the All- Inclusive Playground Committee. I’m running for Mayor to strengthen public safety, support working families and local businesses, expand workforce housing, invest in youth sports fields, and bring transparent, fiscally responsible leadership to City Hall.

*There are multiple candidates for this seat seeking a DWMC endorsement. Please check out our video interview with Mike Moeller HERE

Ian N. Oglesby • Mayor of Seaside

I am proud to run for reelection as Mayor of Seaside. For nearly 25 years, I have championed data-driven governance that actively reflects our shared progressive values of socio-economic equity, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. I have successfully balanced budgets, advanced transformative housing developments like Seagrove and Campus Town, and invested in safer, inclusive neighborhoods. My platform directly aligns with DWMC's core principles—expanding affordable housing options, protecting our fragile environment, and fostering inclusive economic opportunity for all families. I respectfully ask for your continued endorsement to keep Seaside moving forward.

Lacey Raak • Seaside City Council ‼️

I'm running for City Council because I believe in the future of Seaside and in the people who make it such a special place. As a mom raising my family here, I've experienced firsthand what makes Seaside an extraordinary community of neighbors, where our diversity is our strength and everyone deserves the opportunity to belong and thrive.

My career has been dedicated to bringing people together to solve complex challenges. From advancing sustainability policy and initiatives to supporting small businesses across California, I've built partnerships that deliver results. As a member of Seaside's Environmental Commission, I've helped lead meaningful change.

As your councilmember, I'll address the rising cost of housing, food and childcare. I will prioritize the core aspects of local government: maintaining our streets, parks, and neighborhoods, supporting public safety, and strengthening small businesses. Together we can advance solutions so people can afford to live and thrive in Seaside by balancing economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, and community well-being.

I’ll ensure Seaside is a community where working families are strong, and current and future generations thrive.

I'd be honored to earn your vote. I'd love to hear your ideas. Please reach out, we will build our future together: laceyraakforseaside.com

*There are multiple candidates for this seat seeking a DWMC endorsement. Please check out our video interview with Lacey Raak HERE

Cary L Swensen • Salinas City Council District 3

My connection to Salinas comes from classrooms, small business, and public service. As a District 3 resident, business owner, and Hartnell College educator, I understand the needs of local families, students, and businesses. Teaching has strengthened my communication, listening, critical thinking, and civic engagement skills, while business has taught me accountability and responsible decision-making. Since 2011, I have served through Steinbeck Rotary, LULAC Council 2055, the Measure G Oversight Committee, the Monterey County Housing Advisory Committee, and Meals on Wheels of Salinas Valley. I bring experience, energy, and dedication to serving Salinas with integrity and commitment every day.

Elisabeth "Liesbeth" Visscher • City of Marina Mayor ‼️

As Mayor Pro Tem, I worked hard to improve streets, open vibrant parks, and secure new jobs at Joby Aviation. As mayor I’ll focus on:

Replacing decades-old Fire, Police, and City facilities with buildings that match our population’s needs.

Continuing my years of work to protect our water supply and stop the coastal groundwater drilling project that wouldn’t provide water for Marina.

Building dedicated workforce housing for the "missing middle," including local teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders.

With my experience in architecture and property management, I bring practical, analytical skills to city infrastructure planning, budgeting, and maintenance.

*There are multiple candidates for this seat seeking a DWMC endorsement. Please check out our video interview with Elisabeth Vissher HERE

Nicholas Wayne Smith • Mayor of Pacific Grove

As Mayor, I have worked to promote respectful, practical, and solutions-focused leadership for our community. I have also been vigilant to ensure City actions are always legal, ethical, and proper. During my term, we have completed many street and sidewalk repair projects enhancing the beauty and safety of the City and safe routes to school. We’ve also: Adopted a Climate Action & Adaptation Plan; Completed the 6 th Cycle Housing Element through 2031; Partnered with the Heritage Society to restore Chautauqua Hall. I am committed to hearing all voices in the community, include diverse points of view, and ensure laws and actions of the City are equitable.