The current members of Watsonville City Council. Four seats are up for reelection in the Nov. 3 election. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)

WATSONVILLE >> As election season gets underway, Watsonville City Council has four seats up for grabs in the Nov. 3 general election. 

Noticias Watsonville breaks down this race, including who is running, a quick explainer on the districts and important dates for voters to be aware of.

Watsonville seats

City council is where decisions are made about housing, infrastructure, public safety and the budget. Council members are elected to a four-year term and represent seven districts across Watsonville.

In the Nov. 3 election, there are four open seats representing districts 3, 4, 5 and 7. Three new candidates filed paperwork to run for districts 5 and 7: Ángel Zúñiga, Nancy A. Bilicich and Ed Acosta. 

Zúñiga is challenging incumbent Casey K. Clark in District 5, while Bilicich and Acosta are competing for the District 7 seat, which will be vacant because Ari Parker cannot seek a third consecutive term.

In total there are six candidates running for a spot on city council. Incumbent councilmember María Orozco is running unopposed for District 3, as is councilmember Kristal Salcido for District 4.

Many residents are asking: Why are so few new people seeking a place on the council?

“I would like to see new blood and tell them that we really need a change. And that if they are elected, they should not be puppets of the system,” said Jaime Rodríguez, 42, a Watsonville resident and coach for Watsonville FC, a competitive soccer team that participates in regional tournaments.

Frank Barba, a Watsonville native and current resident, ran in 2021 to represent District 2 in a special election to fill the vacancy left behind by then-Councilmember Aurelio González. Based on his experience as a candidate, he believes the time and commitment required by the position may be some of the barriers as to why few people run for the council.

“Nobody wants to do it because it’s a big commitment and they pay very little. There’s no avenue for (new people) to come in and have support,” Barba said.

When Barba ran in 2021, Watsonville council members received $607.75 per month. Since then, compensation has increased several times, with current councilmembers paid $1,679.50 per month. Beginning Dec. 19, compensation will increase to $1,762.98 per month, plus benefits. The mayor receives additional compensation, bringing the monthly total to $2,201.22

The city has justified the pay increase based on the time required for the position and the goal of making it possible for people from different income levels to serve on the council. Council members participate in regular and special meetings and make decisions about the city’s policies and priorities, while managing a multi-million dollar budget.

The new candidates

Ángel Zúñiga: Experience in operations and local government

Zúñiga is seeking a seat on the council for the first time and is challenging incumbent Clark in District 5.

District 5 includes much of central and southwestern Watsonville, with areas around Main Street, Freedom Boulevard, East Lake Avenue and the Pajaro River, as well as areas near Struve Slough.

Zúñiga works as an agricultural operations manager for Americold Logistics, where he oversees facilities at several locations. In his candidate statement, he describes that experience as part of his preparation for public office.

“I have a proven track record of leading teams and bringing a practical, results-oriented approach to leadership,” he wrote.

Zúñiga also has experience in local government. In September 2025, the City Council appointed him to the Watsonville Personnel Commission, where he currently serves a term that ends in 2028. The commission advises the City Council and city manager on personnel matters, including employment rules and disciplinary appeals. 

His top three priorities for the council include “improving public safety, maintaining our neighborhood infrastructure and strengthening our local economy,” according to his statement.

Ed Acosta: Watsonville roots and local government experience

This will be the first time Acosta is seeking a seat on the council, competing against Bilicich for District 7.

District 7 is primarily in eastern and southeastern Watsonville, including areas around East Lake Avenue, East Beach Street, Riverside Road and Beck Street.

Acosta grew up in Watsonville, where he attended T.S. MacQuiddy Elementary School, E.A. Hall Middle School and Watsonville High School. His three children were also born and raised in the Pajaro Valley.

He is an agricultural administrator with experience in the organic and conventional berry industry, as well as food safety and audit oversight.

Acosta has also previously held local leadership positions. He currently serves on the Santa Cruz County Board of Education and chaired the Watsonville Planning Commission in 2018-2025. He represented Watsonville on the county Democratic Central Committee in 2024.

In 2022, he ran to represent District 4 on the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, a race that also included Jimmy Dutra and Felipe Hernández. 

According to his candidate statement, his priorities for the council include “public safety, clean parks, city infrastructure and affordable housing for families and seniors.”

Nancy A. Bilicich: Watsonville native and former councilmember

Nancy A. Bilicich is seeking to return to the council to once again represent District 7. Born and raised in Watsonville, she graduated from Watsonville High School and earned degrees from Cabrillo College, Santa Clara University and Nova Southeastern University.

Bilicich is an educator and school administrator. In 2009, she was appointed to represent District 7 and served until 2018, including as mayor in 2015. In 2022, she ran for the council again to represent the same district. (For her positions at the time, see our 2022 election guide.)

She currently serves on regional boards focused on flood prevention and chairs the Pajaro River Watershed Flood Prevention Authority, where she says she has worked to advance the Pajaro River and Salsipuedes Creek levee project.

In her candidate statement, she says that if elected, she will continue working on public safety, street improvements, responsible housing development, opportunities for businesses, recreational activities for young people and preservation of Watsonville Municipal Airport.

Candidates seeking reelection

District 3: María Orozco

Current councilmember Orozco is seeking reelection to continue representing District 3. She was elected in 2022 (for her positions at the time, see our 2022 election guide) and served as Watsonville’s mayor during 2025-26.

District 3 is primarily in northern and northeastern Watsonville, including areas around Green Valley Road, Freedom Boulevard, Hangar Way and areas toward Corralitos.

Maria Orozco speaks during a Watsonville City Council meeting, June 2024. (Marcello Hutchinson Trujillo — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)

During her year as mayor, she presided over the council as the city advanced projects and initiatives related to infrastructure, housing, public safety and economic development.

Orozco is running unopposed.

District 4: Kristal Salcido

Kristal Salcido, the current District 4 councilmember, is also seeking a second term. She was elected in 2022 (for her positions at the time, see our 2022 election guide) and currently serves as Watsonville’s mayor for the 2026-27 term.

Watsonville City Council meeting on Aug. 25. Kristal Salcido, the current District 4 councilmember, is seeking a second term. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)

District 4 includes parts of central and northern Watsonville, including areas around Main Street, Union Street, West Beach Street and Lake Avenue, as well as areas near Struve Slough and Harkins Slough.

So far, she has presided over the council as the city works on the priorities outlined in its strategic plan, including infrastructure, housing, public safety and economic development.

Salcido is running unopposed.

District 5: Casey K. Clark

Clark was elected to represent District 5 in 2022 and currently serves as mayor pro tempore, a position that takes on the mayor’s duties when the mayor is absent or unable to serve. 

Before joining the council, he worked as a state-licensed administrator of residential facilities serving people with developmental disabilities.

Zúñiga is challenging him for the seat.

Which district do you live in?

Watsonville has seven city council districts, but this year only Districts 3, 4, 5 and 7 are on the ballot. Representatives from the other three districts were elected in 2024 and their terms continue through 2028.

If you don’t know which district you live in, check the City of Watsonville’s interactive district map to verify which district corresponds to your address.

¿Y ahora qué?

This is a first look at the candidates seeking to represent four Watsonville districts. In our upcoming election coverage, we’ll provide more information about each candidate’s priorities and positions, as well as their background and experience. We will interview each candidate using our People’s Agenda — a set of questions created based on hours of listening to residents in Watsonville and Pajaro Valley as they shared what issues matter most to them. 

Noticias Watsonville held community listening sessions in July to learn more about what they need from their elected officials. If you were unable to participate and would like to make your voice heard, fill out this online survey. Your responses will help guide our election coverage and the questions we ask candidates.

Election Day is Nov. 3, and early voting will begin Oct. 5.

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