Carlsbad voters in District 1 will choose between incumbent council member Melanie Burkholder and challenger Nate Larson on Nov. 3.
The winner will serve a four-year term ending in 2030, according to the city's notice of election. The race is one of five contested Carlsbad offices on the ballot, alongside mayor, District 3 council member, city treasurer and city clerk.
Both candidates have staked out positions on local control over land-use decisions and the future of the Village, though they bring different backgrounds to the contest.
Burkholder: the incumbent
Burkholder currently serves on the Carlsbad City Council's Legislative Subcommittee alongside District 4 Council Member Teresa Acosta, according to city records. That panel advises the full council on state and federal legislation affecting the city.
In her official candidate statement filed with the city clerk, Burkholder said she "fought Sacramento's one-size-fits-all housing mandates by traveling to testify before the Legislature, defending Carlsbad's right to local control over land-use decisions." She also said she supported adding police officers and firefighters "without raising taxes."
Burkholder said she opposed development "that removes the neighborhood-serving businesses and convenient services our seniors and families rely on, especially in our Village." She described her priorities as protecting neighborhoods, strengthening public safety and supporting local businesses.
Larson: the challenger
Larson describes himself as a lifelong Carlsbad resident with deep family roots in the city. In his candidate statement, he said his ancestors "raised cattle in the 1800's" and "first covered the hills with colorful ranunculus flowers."
He listed his community roles as leader of the "Save the Carlsbad Theatre" movement, a member of the Barrio Public Art Subcommittee, an educator in Carlsbad public schools and a director and producer of local youth theater.
Larson focused his statement on development pressures. He said "developers and outside investors" are "reshaping our Village, destroying its character, and impacting us all." He pledged to "fight Sacramento and pursue every tool available to regain local control" over land-use decisions and to "preserve our natural and historic places before they are lost forever."
What's on the full ballot
Beyond District 1, Carlsbad voters will weigh in on several other local races. Incumbent Mayor Keith Blackburn faces three challengers: Bill Arsenault, Eric Nixon and Stephen Banister. In District 3, incumbent Priya Bhat-Patel is running against Wayland T. Lim. Incumbent City Treasurer Christian Peacox faces Thomas E. Krouse. City Clerk Sherry Freisinger is running unopposed, according to the city's official nominee list.
Vote centers opened Oct. 24 and will remain open through Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Election Day, Nov. 3, they will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
