Editor’s note: This is the first of two stories on the Watsonville City Council race, for which two seats are up for grabs. Next week’s issue will feature the District 7 race, in which Nancy Bilicich is facing Ed Acosta. Mayor Kristal Salcido and Councilwoman Maria Orozco are running uncontested and will be appointed in lieu of election.
Casey Clark
Casey Clark is seeking a second term representing District 5 on the Watsonville City Council, saying he wants to continue work on economic development, city infrastructure and long-term projects that began during his first four years in office.
Clark, who was elected in 2022, said he is particularly proud of the council’s ability to work together despite differences among its seven members.
“We very much have our differences, but we work together for the betterment of the city and the people that live in the city,” he said.
Among the council’s accomplishments, Clark pointed to maintaining a balanced city budget, street improvements, replacing streetlights and supporting parks, police and fire services.
Clark said several larger projects are also approaching key stages, including Watsonville’s general plan update and discussions surrounding the Crosswind Runway at Watsonville Municipal Airport.
“I just would really like to continue to carry some of those torches,” he said.
Economic development remains one of Clark’s primary goals. He said he wants Watsonville to eventually become more financially self-sustaining and less dependent on state and federal funding.
“Watsonville should be able to do what Watsonville wants to do,” he said.
Downtown revitalization is part of that vision, although Clark said he does not expect traditional retail to return to the level it once occupied downtown as online shopping continues to reshape the economy.
Instead, he sees opportunities for restaurants, coffee shops, brew pubs and other businesses that give people reasons to spend time downtown.
Clark pointed to Pajaro Valley Arts, the Porter Building and the Fox Theatre as potential anchors for that revitalization. He said he understands the Fox Theatre’s owners intend to preserve the building as a theater, although he cautioned that he does not know whether those plans will ultimately materialize.
More broadly, Clark said Watsonville should reconsider the way it views itself. While the city is frequently described as a disadvantaged community, Clark said that description overlooks its assets, including the municipal airport, local businesses and industries.
“I don’t see us as a disadvantaged community,” he said. “I see us as a very advantaged community. We’re just not using our assets to their highest use.”
Clark said many Watsonville residents spend money in communities such as Gilroy, Seaside, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Jose because they cannot find the same shopping, dining and entertainment options locally. Keeping more of that spending in Watsonville, he said, could strengthen the city’s economy.
“We deserve better, we should expect better,” he said.
Clark also supports expanding Watsonville’s housing supply, including market-rate, for-sale housing and new neighborhoods. He said future expansion of the city limits could provide additional opportunities for development.
Underlying those goals, Clark said, is a desire to keep Watsonville a family-oriented community that is safe and offers activities and opportunities for residents of all ages.
With several city initiatives still underway, Clark said another term would give him the opportunity to see more of that work through.
“There are a lot of things that previous boards just completely deferred on,” he said. “We finally picked that ball up and we’ve been running with it.”
Angel Zuniga
Angel Zuniga is challenging incumbent Casey Clark for the District 5 seat on the Watsonville City Council, saying his working-class background and experience in operations management would bring a practical perspective to city government.
Zuniga, 42, is a lifelong Watsonville resident who currently works as an operations manager for Americold, a cold storage company. He said that experience has given him skills he believes could help the city address its budget and other day-to-day challenges.
“My background as an operations manager could help solve some everyday problems that the city is facing,” he said.
Zuniga said his goal is to help build a community where families have greater opportunities to live and work locally.
Among his priorities are public safety, housing and strengthening Watsonville’s economy. While acknowledging the city faces gang activity and other challenges, Zuniga said he generally considers Watsonville a safe place to live and wants to keep it that way.
“Public safety is a big, big priority that I take personal,” he said.
Zuniga currently serves on the Watsonville Personnel Commission, an experience he said has introduced him to city government procedures. While the commission does not meet frequently, he said each meeting has helped him become more familiar with the process.
He said he is prepared for the workload that comes with serving on the City Council, including studying staff reports and other materials before meetings. His current job, he said, involves reading, research and planning.
“I’m ready to put myself to work,” he said. “I love new challenges.”
Zuniga also pointed to his professional experience as preparation for handling disagreements that can arise during council meetings.
Before working in cold storage, Zuniga spent about 14 years in retail, including leadership positions in operations and loss prevention. He worked for companies including Target, Kmart and Sprint.
His loss prevention work, he said, gave him early experience in conflict resolution, including dealing with tense situations involving suspected shoplifters. He later moved into other leadership and training positions.
Zuniga said those experiences could help him navigate contentious council discussions while respecting the public’s right to express differing views.
“There’s people in the community that are very strongly opinionated against certain topics that goes in front of the council,” he said. “They have all their rights to their opinions.”
Zuniga attended Aptos High School but left school after having children at a young age and entering the workforce. He later earned his GED through adult education.
He said those experiences helped shape the working-class perspective he hopes to bring to the council.
If elected, Zuniga said he does not expect to immediately transform city government. Instead, he wants an opportunity to bring his perspective to decisions involving public safety, housing, the economy and city finances.
His approach, he said, would center on openness and responsibility to residents.
“My approach is to be transparent and accountable,” Zuniga said. “Just do the job the best I can.”
