From left, Joe Clarke, Tory Del Favero and TJ Welch were leading in early election results for Capitola City Council. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local file)

CAPITOLA >> Tory Del Favero, TJ Welch and Joe Clarke are leading the Capitola City Council race  as of 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. The top three vote-getters win seats.

Cami Corvin and Peter Wilk trailed. 

Vote tallies will continue to be updated throughout the night and in the coming days. Final election results must be certified by Dec. 3.

In August, Santa Cruz Local interviewed and surveyed about three dozen Capitola residents about their priorities for the election. Top themes we heard were: housing, the rail trail, bike and pedestrian safety, Capitola Mall redevelopment and communication between residents and city government.

Santa Cruz Local pressed the candidates on these concerns in our Election Guide. 

Del Favero said if elected, she would:

• Review data and city reports, such as the Active Transportation Plan, before she makes decisions on pedestrian and bicycle safety, specifically the rail trail.
• Have open discussions with residents regarding state housing mandates and how Capitola works with and implements the mandates. 
• Make sure that Captiola residents know that their input will play a part in her votes and direction.

Welch said if elected, he would:

• Look at city data and traffic study reports before he implements or addresses traffic and pedestrian concerns throughout the city and Captiola Village.
• Push against state housing mandates, but not enough to force builders’ remedy, where the state takes over and builds.
• Hold town hall style meetings for residents to attend and share their thoughts and concerns. 

Clarke said if elected, he would:

• “Pump the brakes” and “slow down” on what Captiola is building when it comes to the state housing mandates.
• Work with police to educate children on e-bike safety.
• Move forward with the Cliff Drive Resiliency Project, which is a public works initiative designed to stabilize severe bluff coast erosion along Cliff Drive, from Wharf Road to the Hooper’s Beach Staircase.    

The Capitola City Council is a five-member, at-large elected body that serves four-year terms, and is responsible for creating city laws and sets the city’s budget. 

“I’m excited, I had a lot of great supporters and it was fantastic meeting so many people in Capitola so this was rewarding for the effort I put in,” Del Favero said Tuesday night to Santa Cruz Local. 

Corvin trailed in fourth place by about 125 votes Tuesday night.

“I’m optimistic, but with a close race, every vote matters, and we’ll have to wait for more results,” Corvin wrote to Santa Cruz Local. 

TJ Welch declined to comment.

This story will be updated.

Read more about early election results:

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