Erica A. Stewart
| Candidate Name: | Erica A. Stewart |
| Position Sought: | San Luis Obispo Mayor |
| Website / Social Media: | www.voteforerica.com Facebook:Â VoteEricaAStewart Instagram: @voteericaastewart Twitter:Â @VoteforErica |
| Why are you running for office? |
| I’m running for office because our community deserves thoughtful, unified leadership to tackle the challenges we face. As your Mayor, I’ve worked diligently to address homelessness by expanding local support services and implementing innovative housing solutions, and I’m committed to continuing this essential work. My approach has always been to address issues with care and a focus on real, sustainable outcomes. From securing funding for affordable housing to advancing climate action and improving transportation, I’ve made it my priority to bring practical solutions to the table. We’ve made great progress, but there’s more to be done, and I would be honored to foster collaboration and continue working on for our community to address these pressing issues head on. |
| What makes you qualified for this position? |
| I’m honored to serve as the Mayor of San Luis Obispo, where I’ve dedicated myself to addressing the challenges our community faces. As a mom who has cherished raising my family here, professor at Cal Poly, and a small business owner, my commitment to this city runs deep. My journey here began as Student Body President at Cal Poly, and since then, I’ve worked hard to give back to the community that has given me so much. As your Mayor, I’ve focused on real solutions for our most pressing issues. I’ve served on the Community Action Partnership CAPSLO board to address homelessness and childcare, and the REACH SLO Advisory Committee, tackling regional issues and economic recovery. I’m proud to have led the creation of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) task force, making San Luis Obispo a more inclusive place for everyone. I’m running to continue making strides for our community, ensuring that San Luis Obispo remains a vibrant, thriving city for everyone. It’s been a privilege to serve as your Mayor, and I’m committed to continuing this work. |
| What are the two hardest issues facing the candidate who wins the office you are running for? |
| Addressing our housing crisis and combating climate change with a focus on inclusion and sustainability is imperative. Climate change demands immediate action, and under my leadership, we’ve already made strides in reducing our carbon footprint, incentivizing participation, and investing in sustainable infrastructure. I’m committed to expanding these efforts by promoting clean energy and ensuring our city is prepared for the challenges ahead. We need to create more affordable housing so people can live near their work and schools, and collaborate with neighboring communities to reduce homelessness. Engaging our entire community is essential. I’m dedicated to including voices that haven’t been heard, particularly from low-income households, to ensure our policies are effective and inclusive, and bring more of the community’s insights into our city’s decision-making process. |
| How do you plan to address the issue of inflation and its impacts on your constituents if elected? |
| Let’s face it: San Luis Obispo is expensive enough. As Mayor, I plan to address inflation by prioritizing affordable housing, supporting local businesses, and ensuring responsible city budgeting. I’ve already supported initiatives like decreasing parking rates by 25-33% after listening to feedback from business owners, residents, and community members. This reduction helps ease the financial burden on both businesses and consumers, making it more affordable to shop and dine locally. By continuing to bolster our local economy, create jobs, and increase housing availability, we can help stabilize costs for residents. Additionally, maintaining a fiscally responsible budget will ensure that essential services remain accessible and affordable for everyone in San Luis Obispo. |
| What major crime issues do you plan to address if elected and how? |
| As Mayor, I plan to address the crime issues in San Luis Obispo such as property crime, substance abuse, disorderly and suspicious behavior, in addition to connecting people who are unhoused to resources through the Mobile Crisis Unit and Community Action Team. My approach involves increasing collaboration between law enforcement, community organizations, and mental health services to provide a comprehensive response. In addition, the neighborhood wellness must be addressed for noise violations, property crime and disorderly conduct. This can be addressed head on by connecting students and long-term neighbors, as well as holding Cal Poly accountable for their students’ behavior. |
| How do you plan to address the issue of housing if elected? |
| To address housing, I will continue to foster partnerships between the city, county, and Cal Poly, ensuring we maximize the impact of existing programs. I’m proud of our collaboration with People’s Self-Help Housing Corporation, securing a $19.4 million Homekey Grant to convert a Motel 6 into 70 permanent housing units for those experiencing homelessness. Additionally, the Maxine Lewis Apartment plan will create 40 low-income housing units through a partnership with local organizations. I believe everyone is worthy of respect, and I’m committed to increasing funding for services that reduce homelessness, maintaining strong community partnerships, and finding creative solutions for our growing housing needs. Through a multifaceted approach—approving more affordable housing units, making housing more accessible, soliciting input from those directly impacted, and holding Cal Poly accountable for housing more students on campus—I’m ready to tackle our community’s housing challenges head-on. |
| What do you hope to accomplish in your first year in office if elected? |
| In my first year, I aim to build on the progress we’ve made by focusing on three key areas: expanding affordable housing, addressing homelessness, and enhancing community engagement and cross-collaboration. My goal is to advance new housing projects, strengthen partnerships, and improve our outreach efforts to ensure that all voices in our community are heard. For example, we recently held a Homelessness Response Forum for the public in June, where the city shared our strategies for addressing homelessness in the region. I plan to continue this proactive, engaging approach by expanding support services, inviting the community, and creating more permanent housing solutions for those in need. This same attention will go into other pressing issues, such as advancing our DEI initiatives, improving our transportation system, and creating a sustainable San Luis Obispo. By addressing these challenges with urgency and collaboration, I’m committed to making tangible, positive impacts in my first year. |
| What actions do you plan to take to reduce political divide? |
| I’m committed to fostering open dialogue and focusing on shared goals that benefit our entire community. My experience on the City Council, as a small business owner, and formerly as the Assistant Director of Campus Health and Wellbeing at Cal Poly has taught me the value of collaboration and open communication. I’ve worked with a wide range of stakeholders, from local organizations to the business community and educational institutions, always prioritizing inclusivity and cooperation. I plan to continue this approach. San Luis Obispo is a wonderful place to live, and if we want to see it improve, we must work together. |
