Current Arroyo Grande Mayor Caren Ray Russom has a strong lead over self-proclaimed “freedom fighter” Gaea Powell, according to preliminary vote totals.
“The people have spoken loud and clear. I knew the residents of Arroyo Grande would choose professionalism and civility over culture wars and division, but I was truly uplifted to see they gave me what is shaping up to be an overwhelming victory,” Russom said via text message.
Leading by 2,039 votes or 65 percent so far, Russom said she looks forward to continuing to lead through grace and honesty while actively pushing back against those trying to tear the city apart.
She prided herself on receiving endorsements from members of both political parties and she said the community isn’t electing her to make decisions on national issues such as abortion and gun control but rather for her relationships and her ability to leverage them to get things done locally.
“That’s what the voters need, you know. That’s an example of how a strong relationship across party lines benefits everybody,” she said in a previous interview. “There are those who like the party lines, they like the extremism—that’s not me.”
Russom said that one of the most important developments facing the city right now is revamping its general plan, which hasn’t been updated since 2001, and she’s ready to help get it right, since it’ll lay down a pathway for future councils.
“It serves essentially as a guiding document that informs staff and elected officials as to what the community wants, and we set up our codes to reflect what the general plan says,” she said in the previous interview. “There’s going to be a time when I’m not here anymore and that will guide future councils, that will guide future elected officials, that will guide future staff as things turn over.”
Powell, who has criticized Russom’s leadership at City Council meetings, has received 35 percent of the votes counted so far. She said regardless of who is sworn into office, she encourages all elected officials to promise to represent their citizens by using the state and federal constitutions as the bedrock and guide for all their decision-making.
“This will eliminate decisions that violate the principles of our constitutional republic that safeguards and protects us all from unjust laws, policies, ordinances,” she said via email. “Arroyo Grande’s mayor, City Council, and staff are representatives and wards of a land use agency. I hope this fact will be honored and restored by revoking any and all identity politics policies through a thoughtful, concerted, and methodical effort.”
Powell said she is thankful for those who voted for her and she appreciates their confidence in her ability to create meaningful, long-lasting change. Powell said she’s hopeful that her supporters will still support her again in two years and she said she’s interested in running for mayor again.
“It was great to meet so many wonderful patriots and learn what really matters to them—the economy, safety, their children’s education, and rights, as well as accountability for their elected officials and bureaucrats,” she said. “Americans want change and for freedom to ring. I believe we can ride that momentum and be victorious in freeing California from its current chains.” Δ
This article appears in Nov 14-24, 2024.