According to final election results, newcomer Kris Beal won a seat on the Paso Robles City Council after a close race against incumbent Sharon Roden.
Final election results show that Beal received nearly 44 percent of votes for the 1st District seat, while incumbent Roden trailed behind by 126 votes. Third candidate Linda George came in last with 17 percent.
“I am very excited about the outcome of the election,” Beal told New Times, “and the community’s excitement certainly lifts me up.”
This wasn’t Beal’s first time trying for a seat on the council.
When a seat opened up in 2023 after former Councilmember John Hamon was appointed mayor, Beal said she felt compelled to apply for the appointment among seven other candidates, including both Roden and George. Roden was chosen for the job.
So Beal gave it another go this election cycle.
“You know, my decision to run really wasn’t anything specifically against Mrs. Roden. It was more about being a different voice and giving people an option,” the 20-year nonprofit veteran said.
Beal said she wants to provide a voice for the city’s younger population, a group that often doesn’t have time to engage with local government.
“I wasn’t doing it when I was younger. I was working, going to soccer games. I did not spend my time with the local government,” she said. “They deserve a voice. This is the time to be thoughtful for the handoff to the next generation and advocate for neighbors that can’t make it to the meetings and be involved.”
After an election cycle filled with allegations—such as when former 3rd District City Council candidate Michael Rivera accused incumbent Roden of moving his campaign signs, and City Manager Ty Lewis accused current Councilmember Chris Bausch of hostility—Beal said she hopes to remain in her lane and focus on the community’s needs during her term.
“I’m the kind of person that tries to stay very intentional about how I spend my time and energy. There’s only so many hours in the day,” she said. “I’m going to stay focused on my issues and connecting with the community, on trying to improve the quality of life for people in the city.”
Roden said she’s disappointed by the results but is grateful for her year on the City Council.
“This truly has been one of the most challenging and fulfilling years of my life. I have enjoyed every moment of it,” she said. “I know that’s hard to believe by some people’s standards—how could you enjoy some of the stuff that’s going on? But I love a challenge, and I love learning.”
And Roden said she wishes Beal the best.
“[Beal] ran a very thoughtful and respectful campaign. If there were any issues that we had with each other or around topics, we met face-to-face and voiced those respectfully,” she said.
However, Roden said she couldn’t say the same about her other opponent, George.
“I did not engage in the drama surrounding most of the campaign, especially surrounding Linda George, even when she chose to have personal attacks against me,” she said, referencing George’s public accusation of Roden being an employee who serves City Manager Lewis rather than the residents.
“And for somebody to say that—I don’t know what she’s basing it on. It certainly isn’t based on any evidence, but sometimes I think she just talks to get a reaction, and so I didn’t want to engage in that during the campaign,” she said.
Despite her loss, Roden said she hopes to remain active with the city and help encourage productive discussions between the council and residents at meetings.
“I’ve got a little bit more education than when I started out a year ago, and I hope to make good use for the city,” she said. “I’m not going to be yelling and screaming in a mic without doing my background on anything and maybe be a counterbalance to some of those people who choose to continue that rhetoric.” Δ
This article appears in Dec 12-22, 2024.