By Signal Staff
Santa Clarita Valley voters have a lot of important choices on the ballot that will help determine how the city of Santa Clarita, the county of Los Angeles, the state and the federal government operate in 2027 and beyond.
The city has two outgoing City Council members who were thanked for their service Thursday during the annual State of the City, Marsha McLean and Bill Miranda.
That also means there will be at least two new voices for the city after an election for the first time since 2000, when council members Bob Kellar and Cameron Smyth first joined the dais.
Another change is due in part to the city’s adoption of districts, which started in 2024 and means that city voters will only see one choice on their Nov. 3 ballot, depending on where they live.
There are a number of district-based school board elections, and while it may be harder to find information on some candidates than others, The Signal offered all contenders an opportunity to provide a 200-word statement and a headshot, which gives a little bit of information about the candidate in their own words.
The other big change for voters to watch out for is in their congressional districts.
For decades, the SCV has had one representative, in the 27th District, and the 25th before that.
For those who may have missed the Proposition 50 discussion in 2025, California voters approved a statewide redistricting, which split the SCV’s district into three: the 26th Congressional District, which is a sliver of the valley alongside Interstate 5; the 27th, which is most of the SCV; and the 30th, which is now the easternmost portion of the district, which is mostly east of State Route 14, but not entirely.
Here are the candidate statements. (The candidates for each office are listed in alphabetical order.):
House of Representatives
26th Congressional District
Sam Galluci
I ask two questions: Do you feel represented? Are you better off than you were 12 years ago? If you’re like me, the answer is no to both. It’s time for a change in direction.
I’m running for Congress because our communities deserve leadership that puts people before politics and delivers results.
As a businessman, pastor and nonprofit leader, I’ve spent my life solving problems and helping families. From executive leadership at IBM and PeopleSoft to founding organizations serving vulnerable communities, I’ve learned that meaningful change requires accountability, hard work and service.
California families face rising costs, burdensome regulations and policies making it harder to get ahead. Small businesses need relief, communities deserve safety and parents need a stronger voice in education. In Congress, I’ll fight to reduce wasteful spending, protect individual freedoms, strengthen border security, support law enforcement and help families and businesses thrive. We can be fiscally responsible while protecting our most vulnerable. We need leaders who listen, build relationships, and stand firm on their principles.
I’m humbly asking for your vote and the opportunity to serve you in Congress. To learn more, visit www.samgallucci.com.
Jacqui Irwin
I’m a systems engineer by training. Before I ever held office, I worked at Teledyne Systems and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, where the job was simple: Find the problem, test the solution and make it work. That’s how I’ve approached public service ever since.
As the daughter of immigrants and the first in my family to attend college, I know what opportunity means and how fragile it can be. On the Thousand Oaks City Council and then the Assembly, I’ve fought to protect it: expanding access to the earned income tax credit, funding home loans for veterans and creating better educational opportunities at community colleges.
Today, families across our district are watching the Trump Administration start an unnecessary war, cut our health care, drive up costs for all of us and use their position in government to enrich themselves.
We deserve better. We deserve a representative who will stand up for our values in Congress and ensure the needs of our community are met. That’s who I’ve been for over two decades, and it’s who I’ll be in Congress. I’d be honored to earn your vote in the 26th Congressional District.
27th Congressional District
Jason Gibbs
I’m running for Congress because the families of the 27th District deserve a representative who solves problems instead of scoring political points.
Before I ever held office, I was an engineer. I earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and helped build the Delta and Atlas rockets that launch America’s satellites. In that work, results matter more than rhetoric. If something doesn’t work, you fix it.
I’ve brought that same approach to the Santa Clarita City Council since 2020, including serving as mayor in 2023. I’ve learned that good government starts with listening, then focusing on the basics residents count on: public safety, good roads and a responsive city government.
Families across our district are being squeezed by rising costs, long commutes and the constant threat of wildfire. Washington should be easing that burden, not adding to it.
In Congress, I’ll work to lower costs, protect the aerospace and defense jobs that anchor our local economy and fight for the transportation and wildfire resources our region needs.
I’m an engineer, a husband, a father of two and your neighbor, not a career politician. I’d be honored to earn your vote on Nov. 3.
George Whitesides
I’m Congressman George Whitesides, and I’m fighting to lower your costs and tackle corruption in Washington DC.
I served as NASA chief of staff and led an aerospace company in the Antelope Valley, where I helped create hundreds of good-paying jobs. My wife, Loretta Hidalgo, and I have two children.
I am the only candidate endorsed by local law enforcement (the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs), as well as firefighters, nurses and teachers.
In my first term, I have brought back millions to fund thousands of good jobs and support cancer treatments at local hospitals, education programs at the SCV Boys & Girls Club, student opportunities at the College of the Canyons and a new command center for our Sheriff’s Department.
I will: Lower costs and utility bills: Make groceries, gas, housing, power and health care more affordable. I opposed the tariffs and health care cuts that will hurt families, seniors and our local hospitals.
Tackle California’s wildfire crisis: Fight skyrocketing insurance premiums and canceled policies, support fire-resistant homes and detection technology.
Fight corruption: Root out the rampant corruption we see every day in Washington. I am working to ban Members of Congress from trading stocks.
Learn more at GeorgeWhitesides.com.
California Assembly
40th District
Rickey Tracy Hayes
Rickey Hayes is a Marine Corps veteran, former law enforcement officer and union journeyman lineman who has dedicated his life to service. From protecting communities to helping modernize California’s electrical grid, Rickey brings real-world experience in public safety and energy infrastructure.
Rickey and his wife have called Santa Clarita home for more than 13 years. They are parents and grandparents, and their daughter continues their family’s tradition of service in the United States military.
Born and raised in Compton and Long Beach, Rickey understands the challenges California’s working families face. His Marine Corps service taught him leadership and sacrifice. After leaving the military, he continued serving his community as a custody officer and police officer, where he saw firsthand the importance of public safety and supporting those who protect our neighborhoods.
Rickey later became a journeyman lineman with IBEW Local 47 and an energy infrastructure executive, helping build, maintain and modernize California’s power grid.
Rickey is running for state Assembly to strengthen public safety and critical infrastructure, lower the cost of living, and address the concerns of working families. He believes California needs common sense leadership focused on safe communities, reliable and affordable energy and opportunities for the next generation.
Pilar Schiavo
I ran for Assembly because I believe government should work for the people it serves. As a single mom and former small-business owner, I understand the pressures you face every day — rising costs, the struggle to find housing and child care that’s affordable and the worry that even working hard isn’t always enough. Those challenges are personal to me, and they’re what drive me to keep fighting for our community.
Since taking office, we’ve achieved historic results, bringing more than $111 million in local investments to our community and putting $4 million back in people’s pockets through hands-on casework. I’ve delivered housing for veterans, strengthened school safety and student wellness, stood up for Chiquita Canyon Landfill neighbors being made sick and made health care more affordable. I believe in showing up, solving problems and delivering results that make a difference.
And, there’s more work to do. Families are struggling, housing remains out of reach, utility and gas prices continue to rise and federal cuts put essential services at risk. That’s why I’m continuing to push for practical solutions, responsible investments and a government that puts people first. I ran to make a difference, and I’ll continue to turn that commitment into results for our community.
Santa Clarita City Council
District 2
Brett Haddoak
I’ve called Santa Clarita home my entire life, and my family’s roots in our community span over five decades. My grandfather helped build our region’s infrastructure, working on the Castaic Lake Dam and the 5 and 14 freeways. My mother spent nearly 20 years serving Santa Clarita students in our public schools. Today, my wife and I are raising our daughter in this community that has given so much to our family.
As a small-business owner and software engineer for over 20 years, I’ve built practical solutions to complex problems. It’s that perspective that will allow me to successfully serve this city that I love.
Growing up here has given me a firsthand understanding of Santa Clarita’s opportunities and challenges. We need better access to emergency healthcare, more quality local jobs, less time spent in traffic, and effective solutions to homelessness.
I’ve worked on many of these issues already, volunteering over 1,000 hours with Bridge to Home, serving on Santa Clarita’s Homelessness Task Force, and developing software supporting the Shared Housing Program. I hope to continue my service to our community on the City Council, solving problems and delivering results that strengthen our community for the next generation.
Denise Lite
For 29 years, I’ve made my living standing up for people, protecting them, asking tough questions and fighting for what’s right. I’m running for City Council because District 2 deserves that same fearless advocacy.
As a former Santa Clarita planning commissioner, I learned that asking the right questions isn’t always popular at City Hall. But leadership isn’t about making politicians comfortable. It’s about making government accountable to you, the people it serves.
My priorities are straightforward: Roads before rooftops. Safer neighborhoods. Stronger support for law enforcement. Less government red tape. And complete transparency in how your city government is working.
Development must come with required infrastructure. Small businesses deserve a fighting chance, and residents deserve answers before decisions are made, not afterward.
As an attorney, business owner and longtime community volunteer, I bring experience, independence and the courage to challenge the status quo if necessary.
This election is about protecting the quality of life that makes Santa Clarita special.
I won’t promise to agree with everyone. I do promise to listen to all of you, ask questions, tell you the truth and never forget who I represent.
District 2 deserves an independent voice, not another rubber stamp.
Bring it to Lite.
Gloria Mercado-Fortine
Santa Clarita’s future should be shaped by the people who call it home. Our residents deserve safe neighborhoods, exceptional public services and a city where everyone feels welcome, heard and respected.
As our community grows, our roads and infrastructure must keep pace. I will advocate for cross-city connections and transportation improvements that address congestion, so residents can spend less time in traffic and more time with their families.
Our children deserve timely, specialized care close to home. I will advocate for a pediatric urgent care unit to meet that need. I will also continue opposing the proposed courthouse in our district.
The Valencia Town Center should be a place our community enjoys and takes pride in. I will work with the SCV Economic Development Corp. to attract businesses and support the infrastructure needed to make the mall a thriving destination for shopping, dining and gathering together.
Every decision should put residents first, protect our quality of life and consider the generations who will inherit the community we build today.
I will be honored to have your vote on Nov. 3. Gloriaforsantaclarita.com
District 4
Jeffrey Berman
Most candidates have talked about traffic, growth, public safety and whether our infrastructure can keep up. At some point, we have to do more than talk.
That’s why I’m running for Santa Clarita City Council District 4 and asking for your vote.
Before we approve more development, I want clear answers about how we’ll handle additional traffic and provide the additional deputies, firefighters, and emergency services our community needs. Residents deserve a plan and a timeline.
We also need to get serious about another hospital and expanded pediatric services. I want the city actively bringing health care providers to the table to explore those options and move that conversation forward.
I’m concerned about these and other issues residents have raised with me, including the use of Flock cameras, school busing and support for local businesses.
If these issues matter to you, help me make them a priority at City Hall. Vote for Jeffrey Berman and ask your neighbors to consider my campaign.
Let’s protect what works and improve what needs attention. The decisions we make today will shape our city for years to come. Learn more at berman4citycouncilscv.com.
Valerie Bradford
I am running for Santa Clarita City Council District 4 because our city needs leaders who put people over politics and listen before they lead. Our families deserve a city government that is transparent, accountable, and responsive to the people it serves.
For more than two decades, Santa Clarita has been where my husband and I have built our lives and where I have dedicated myself to serving others. That means encouraging responsible economic growth, strengthening opportunities for small businesses, and making sure residents have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. The best solutions come from bringing people together and putting our community’s interest first.
As founding president of a local nonprofit, I worked to build partnerships and strengthen community. My 24 years in human resources helped me solve problems and navigate challenges. My degree in small business management and entrepreneurship from College of the Canyons gave me insight into the needs of local businesses and working families.
I remain committed to serving others through volunteer work feeding the hungry and assisting individuals experiencing homelessness. I am ready to bring that same commitment, experience, and servant leadership to Santa Clarita’s City Council.
Nick Somers
I’m Nick Somers, and I’m running for Santa Clarita City Council District 4 because I believe our city needs practical leadership, better planning, and a City Hall that is more accountable to the people it serves.
Santa Clarita is a wonderful place to live, but growth must be accompanied by the infrastructure needed to support it. Roads, utilities, public safety, schools, healthcare, and transportation should keep pace with development—not become an afterthought once problems arise. I will push for stronger planning, meaningful impact analysis, and greater accountability from developers before major projects are approved. Taxpayer dollars should be spent responsibly, prioritizing essential infrastructure and services that directly benefit our neighborhoods and working families.
I also believe residents deserve greater transparency from their local government. Important decisions should be made openly, with meaningful public input before they’re finalized. I’ll remain accessible, explain my decisions, listen to residents, and make sure their voices are heard at City Hall.
As a small-business owner, longtime EMT and search and rescue volunteer, I’ve spent much of my life solving problems and serving others. I’m not running to become a politician. I’m running to bring that same hands-on approach to City Hall.
Laurene Weste
Serving Santa Clarita is my passion, building on nearly three decades of service on the Santa Clarita City Council. As your councilmember and multiterm mayor, I’ve worked to keep our Saugus neighborhoods safe, financially secure and true to their character.
Over the last four years, we’ve grown our budget reserves past $19 million, reformed pensions, and kept the books balanced for residents and taxpayers alike. I secured a $1.4 million state grant to expand our 13,000-acre open space network and 104-mile trail system, and I’m leading the fight against a poorly sited L.A. County courthouse near McBean Parkway that threatens our neighborhoods’ traffic and safety. I also helped complete the Cross Valley Connector and the Canyon Country Community Center, ensuring developers, not taxpayers, pay for new infrastructure.
There is more to do. I will continue fighting the proposed L.A. County Saugus prison, expand economic development and local jobs, advocate for veterans and senior housing and keep District 4 safe and thriving.
It has been the honor of my life serving Santa Clarita, and I’d be grateful for your vote in District 4.
Peter Yahiayan
My name is Peter Yahiayan, and I’m running for Santa Clarita City Council District 4. I’ve lived in Santa Clarita my entire life and graduated from Golden Valley High School in 2010. I’m a local small business owner, not a career politician.
I believe our city deserves fresh perspectives, thoughtful questions and decisions that put residents first. My priorities are: responsible development that accounts for traffic, school capacity and emergency access; better roads and infrastructure; stronger public safety; and support for local businesses affected by construction and changing economic conditions.
Our parks and recreation facilities also deserve attention, from lighting and maintenance to programs and spaces serving residents of all ages. I want clearer priorities, faster responses to everyday problems and greater transparency in city contracts, budgets and development decisions.
Some issues, including schools, freeway improvements and expanded health care services, fall partly outside City Council’s direct authority. That shouldn’t stop us from advocating, building partnerships and pressing the responsible agencies for solutions.
I’m running a grassroots campaign, speaking directly with District 4 neighbors and listening to different viewpoints. My goal is simple: preserve what makes Santa Clarita special while planning responsibly for its future.
District 5
Lilia Chernova
In 2008, I arrived in the United States alone, on a college scholarship, determined to build a future through hard work and education. Today I am a Moldovan American, married to an Armenian man, and Canyon Country is our home.
I am running for City Council District 5, to improve our beautiful city without changing what makes it special.
That means smart growth, not overdevelopment. Infrastructure must keep pace with new homes, developers must pay their share and residents should never carry costs they did not create.
Brush fuels fires. It must be cleared. I am a certified EMT who volunteered during California wildfires. I will make vegetation clearance, reliable emergency alerts, and evacuation planning a priority.
I spent 15 years leading teams at global technology companies and hold four degrees, including an MBA. I know how to read a budget, question a contract and make every dollar count.
Every resident will be heard before decisions are made.
The hills brought us here. Our neighbors made us stay. Together, we can shape the future we share. I have no party agenda and no investment ties, so the only side I am on is yours.
Kelvin Driscoll
What if Santa Clarita’s greatest opportunity isn’t becoming a different city, but becoming an even better version of the city we love?
I believe great communities aren’t simply inherited. They’re built by people who care enough to do the work.
Throughout my career as a nonprofit executive and educator, I’ve learned that the people closest to a challenge often have the clearest understanding of what’s needed. My job has been to bring people together, navigate difficult decisions, manage resources responsibly, and turn those insights into action.
That’s the approach I’ll bring to City Hall.
I want residents to see their ideas reflected in city decisions, understand how their tax dollars are being spent, and know they can reach their representative when something matters to them.
I believe we can protect what makes Santa Clarita special while having the imagination and courage to make it even better.
Because when you love your city, you don’t just live here. You help build it.
Listening to residents throughout this campaign has been a privilege I don’t take lightly. I’d be honored to earn your vote of confidence and serve as District 5’s first elected City Council representative.
Bob Khalsa
I have proudly called Canyon Country home since 1998. My wife is a retired high school English teacher, and both our sons graduated from Canyon High School, with our younger son also attending La Mesa Junior High. Both are now physicians.
I served 23 years in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot, flight instructor, and squadron commander, and retired as a Colonel. I subsequently flew for Air India, Atlas Air and United Airlines.
A real estate professional since 2002, I established my own brokerage in 2007. I hold master’s degrees in science and business, the CCIM designation and a California teaching credential in physics. From 2002 to 2005, I taught science and mathematics at Monroe High School.
My community leadership includes serving as 2024 president of the Southland Regional Association of Realtors, twice president of its Santa Clarita Valley Division, service on state and national Realtor boards and service on Measure V Oversight Committee from 2002 to 2004.
I am a nonpartisan candidate with experience and endorsements from both Democrats and Republicans. I believe in addressing issues rather than partisan politics, prioritizing safety in homes, community, schools, businesses and streets; traffic, responsible development, property rights and fiscal accountability.
Santa Clarita Community College District Governing Board
Trustee Area 1
Reza Rassool
Your ballot is already in the mail. Please use it.
College of the Canyons serves 30,000 students a year. For families across this valley, it is the most direct path to a career or a degree. But the people inside it have lost confidence in the board that governs it. Faculty, classified staff and students have each said so, on the record. That is not politics. It is a warning from the people who teach, work and learn there every day.
I have lived here since 1994, coached AYSO, raised my kids here. I spent thirty years in technology, built two companies acquired by Google, and now run a nonprofit AI lab that gives students real internships. I know which jobs are coming and which are going, and I want COC ready for the ones coming.
As your trustee, I will keep CoC affordable, open the board’s business to the public, and bring workforce training to campus fast enough to matter.
Faculty (COCFA), classified staff (CSEA), the California Teachers Association, the AFL-CIO and the student group Vote Up have endorsed this campaign.
Search signalscv.com for “College of the Canyons board performance.” More at trusteevote.com. Then vote by Nov. 3.
Darlene Trevino
I’m Darlene Trevino, running for re-election to the Santa Clarita Community College Board. I’m also a parent, an attorney, a small-business owner.
I spent my teenage years in foster care and later attended College of the Canyons as a student. I built my own law practice, never forgetting the community that shaped me. I know what an education can do for someone trying to build a better future.
My main focus is putting students first. I’ll work to keep education affordable, expand access to the classes students need and give them the tools and support needed to succeed. I want to strengthen student government and give students more opportunities to become leaders.
I believe our community deserves transparency and accountability. I’ll continue pushing for financial audits, regular updates on how public money is spent and strong accountability from our college leadership.
I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. I pushed to hire our new superintendent-president and supported the development of our advanced technology center, expanding training opportunities in advanced manufacturing, welding and robotics.
There’s more work to do. College of the Canyons changed my life, and I’ll ensure it does the same for current and future generations.
William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board
Trustee Area 2
Bryan Biggers
I grew up in Santa Clarita, graduated from Hart district schools, have subbed in our schools and two of my kids attend Hart High. Hart grad, Hart dad. I’ve coached SCV kids for 15 years. I co-founded a local construction company and understand balance sheets; this board oversees roughly a half-billion dollars a year.
Hart gets less funding per student than comparable L.A. County districts and outperforms them. All seven comprehensive high schools rank in the top 25% nationally. No program explains that. Our families and teachers do. I’ll protect what works.
Strong teachers: Recruit great ones, train and equip them, back them up. Safe schools: trained resource officers, secure campuses and staff equipped to notice when a student needs help. Parents as partners: a board that listens, answers straight and protects their right to know what’s happening with their kids.
This race comes down to who decides what happens in our schools. Decisions belong here, with families and teachers, not outside money or advocacy networks.
I’m endorsed by four of five sitting Hart trustees, including retiring incumbent Bob Jensen, and more than a dozen local educators, including three Hart District Teachers of the Year.
I’d be honored to have your vote
Julee Brooks
I’m running for Hart district’s governing board because I believe in public schools and want every student to thrive. My husband and I chose our Santa Clarita community for its schools. I’m a longtime Hart and Newhall mom with a Hart High junior and one entering Placerita next year.
I’ve shown up for local schools: fundraising for Hart High Show Choir, chaperoning field trips, serving on PTA and SCV Education Foundation boards and advocating for special needs students.
My professional experience spans 25 years in youth services and education. As CEO of Woodcraft Rangers, I serve 30,000 students annually and have overseen hundreds of millions in education funding. I’m also a state education committee appointee.
Knocking on over 3,000 doors, I’ve heard what matters most. I’ll keep students safe, budget responsibly, expand career and technical education (endorsed by building trades unions) and support teachers and staff. As I have throughout my career, I’ll always put students first.
Education leaders endorse me: the 1,000-member Hart District Teachers Association, current and former Hart trustees Cherise Moore and Linda Storli, retired Superintendent Marc Winger, Suzan Solomon and Edel Alonso, plus Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo.
I’d be honored to earn your vote.
Trustee Area 5
Stacy Fortner
For more than 30 years, Santa Clarita has been home. My husband and I raised our family here, and our daughter is a Hart District graduate. My mother drove a school bus, so I know how deeply public schools connect families and community.
I’m running for the Hart district governing board because every decision should answer one question: Does this help students succeed?
That means strong academics, safe schools, responsible spending and preparing students for college, careers, technical trades, military service and life. It means listening to parents, supporting teachers and staff and making thoughtful decisions with students’ futures in mind.
As a community leader and technology professional, I bring a problem-solving mindset and a commitment to accountability. I’ll keep the focus on student achievement and the long-term strength of our schools. I believe school board members should listen respectfully, ask tough questions and make informed decisions based on facts and the long-term interests of students and families.
Every student deserves the support and opportunity to reach their potential. I’m ready to work for them and for the families and educators who help them succeed.
Blessings, Stacy Fortner.
Joe Messina
I was elected to the Hart district’s governing board with a mandate to strengthen and expand career technical education. While the challenge was greater than I expected, we’ve made tremendous progress — and now it’s time for the next step.
We need a true state-of-the-art CTE center that prepares students for successful careers. As artificial intelligence changes the workforce, skilled professions such as plumbing, electrical work, welding, construction, culinary arts, cosmetology, health care and other technical trades will remain essential.
Together, we’ve achieved a lot: hired a full-time career technical education director focused on expanding opportunities for students: 92% of Hart district seniors have taken at least one CTE course before graduation; secured millions of dollars in CTE grant funding; expanded to more than 30 career pathways, including construction, skilled trades, health care, technology and more.
I will continue to: protect your tax dollars and ensure students have the educational and mental health resources they need to succeed. Give parents a strong voice and meaningful input in their children’s education. Advocate for opportunities for every student — whether they choose college, a trade, the military or another career path.
Please help me finish what you chose me to do. Together, we can ensure that every student has the opportunity to discover their passion and build a successful future. I would be honored to earn your vote on November 3rd.
Let’s finish what we started. www.Joe4Hart.com
Saugus Union School District Governing Board
Trustee Area 1
Natalie Epstein
I’m Natalie Epstein, a mother of four children in Saugus Union, a PTA member, and a room parent for five years. My husband, Brett, and I own a local piano business. Our lives are rooted in this community, and our children’s futures depend on its schools.
I’m running because our son Oliver was lost from school—and because afterward, our family was not heard. No family should ever experience that fear or feel dismissed when seeking answers. That experience brought me here.
My commitment extends to every child, teacher and family across our district.
With a master’s degree in organizational leadership and professional experience at Disney, I bring judgment, compassion, and the determination to turn concerns into action.
I will prioritize safer campuses, supported teachers, responsible spending, and transparent decisions. I promise to listen, take concerns seriously, and work to ensure no child, teacher, or family feels unheard or dismissed.
This is about our entire district: protecting children, valuing educators, and rebuilding trust through accountability and follow-through.
Area 1, and all is SUSD, deserves a parent who will support what works, challenge what needs to change, and show up when it matters.
On Nov. 3, please vote Natalie Epstein.
Larry Grable
Our kids only get one childhood, and we only get one chance to get their education right.
My priorities are safe classrooms, academic excellence, fiscal accountability and sensible artificial intelligence policies.
School safety: regular public reporting on classroom disruptions, behavioral incidents and school climate to evaluate existing interventions.
Academic excellence: Every student deserves to reach their full potential. I support measuring academic growth, evaluating curriculum effectiveness and establishing an Advanced Learning Pathway for all students ready for greater challenges.
Fiscal accountability: Every taxpayer dollar should have a clear purpose and measurable results. I support regular Board reviews of program costs, outcomes, and student impact.
Artificial intelligence: Clear, age-appropriate standards protecting student privacy, academic integrity, and independent thinking while supporting teachers.
My 25 years practicing law and experience operating businesses have taught me that effective oversight requires knowing which questions to ask, investigating the answers, and following the evidence.
I am committed to meeting parents, teachers, staff, and residents in our neighborhoods rather than waiting for them to come to the Board.
Kevin Kim
I’m Kevin Kim and I am running to be Saugus Union School District’s trustee for Area 1. I’m a father to two SUSD alums and one current fourth-grader at Bridgeport Elementary. I have over 20 years’ experience as an attorney for major law firms in NYC and Los Angeles. In my free time, I am a volunteer coach for my kids’ baseball and basketball teams. I was also selected to serve on the SUSD Asset Management Committee to advise on the disposition of the Santa Clarita Elementary site and was elected Chairman of the Bridgeport Elementary School Site Council.
My years of service and my vision for the future earned me the endorsement by the Saugus Teachers Association and the California School Employees Association.
SUSD is at a pivotal time with a chance to establish a new culture as we welcome a new superintendent. While on the Asset Management Committee, I saw a Board in need of new blood. We need leaders who will ask questions and bring more people to the table and not just rubber stamp the superintendent’s initiatives. I will bring the heart of a parent, the support of the teachers, the head of an attorney and my ear to the community as I join the governing board.
Trustee Area 2
Alisa Gentry
I am a mother of a special needs child who has moved through the SUSD into the Hart district and successfully graduated this past June.
This was due in no small part, to the teachers and administrators we encountered along the way. If elected, I will work to ensure that every student has access to the same high-quality, inclusive learning environment that we experienced.
I have also worked for 22 years as an EMT. As a member of a labor union and understand well how to respond and operate in stressful environments.
I am coming without any biases, and my campaign is not driven by a political agenda. I am running because I am committed to using my skills to do everything possible to insure that our schools continue to be a proud centerpiece of our community in Santa Clarita.
Anna Griese
For the past four years, I have served our community as the Saugus Union School District Governing Board Trustee for Area 2. I have remained committed to keeping students safe, supporting teachers and classified staff and holding our district accountable.
Being a school board trustee means more than attending meetings and casting votes. It means asking difficult questions, listening to concerns, following up and making sure promises lead to results.
My priorities remain clear: safe classrooms with consistent districtwide expectations for student behavior; meaningful support for teachers and staff; transparent communication with families; and accountability for district programs, spending and results.
With a new superintendent leading our district, the next four years will be important. Our board must establish expectations, monitor progress, and ensure decisions are implemented effectively.
I bring firsthand experience, established relationships, and an understanding of the challenges facing our schools. I have demonstrated a willingness to speak up, challenge decisions, and remain accessible.
My approach to serving on the Board is straightforward: speak up for our community, ask difficult questions, challenge decisions when necessary, hold our district accountable, and follow through on decisions affecting our schools.
I hope I can count on your vote on Nov. 3
Trustee Area 5
Cindy Larae Hallman
I am running for Trustee Area 5 for the Saugus Union School District Governing Board. I will work to ensure that every student receives the support, encouragement, and challenge they need to succeed. I do not view this as a political position; but an avenue to continue the work as a lifelong educator, advocating for children and educators to optimize student learning. To achieve that each classroom needs to be a safe place to learn. Everyone on the school campus must prioritize putting students first and keeping open dialogue with guardians and parents. It will take a team to close the achievement gap that has arisen in the past few years in the district.
My passion is simple: I want every child to have the chance to thrive. Because every child matters. I believe every child is more than a test score. They have a name, a story, unique strengths and challenges that deserve to be understood.
I believe our teachers and staff are essential to making this happen. They know their students. They see their needs every day. They should have the tools, resources, and professional freedom to meet those needs – not be limited by a one-size-fits-all approach.
Thank you for the opportunity to spread my passion to the community.
Chris Trunkey
It has been my honor to represent you on the Saugus Union School District Governing Board since 2014.
Our schools are thriving. Last year, six of our elementary schools were recognized by the California Department of Education as Distinguished Schools, including Cedarcreek, Rosedell and Plum Canyon.
Our district was recognized in a national Harvard study for post-covid academic achievement in both English language arts and mathematics (one of only 11 in the state).
We have transformed our programs around behavioral support, direct mental health and wellness services, training for our staff in PBIS and Conscious Discipline and family engagement.
We are investing in our community. New classroom buildings have been opened on the campuses of Rosedell (2025), Plum Canyon (2020) and Skyblue (2022). In addition, Cedarcreek opened a new multi-purpose room building (2021) and instructional garden with a culinary arts program (2025).
I look forward to continuing my commitment to excellence in elementary education for all students and respectfully ask for your vote.
Experience. Commitment. Results. For more information, visit www.trunkeyforsaugus.com
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency Board of Directors
Division 1
Bill Cooper
Ensuring safe, reliable and affordable water to the Santa Clarita Valley is essential for our community’s quality of life. I’ll continue to protect our Valley from future water shortage through responsible planning and prudent water management.
As a Water System Manager I oversaw the operations of five major water treatment plants supplying water to over 19 million people. This experience provides me with the knowledge to protect the quality and reliability of our local groundwater and imported water supply.
When re-elected I’ll continue to support responsible affordable water management by: maximizing existing supplies through recycling and conservation; requiring new development to have an identifiable supply of water before building; removing groundwater contaminants and requiring polluters to pay costs; promoting groundwater banking programs to provide water during shortages; maintaining low water rates through strict budget oversight.
As a longtime resident, I am active in our community now serving as the past chair of the SCV Child & Family Center. I’m also a military veteran, U.S. Navy, serving five years aboard an aircraft carrier, and a member of the Board for the Association of California Water Agencies.
Please vote for Bill Cooper
Noah M. Ropp
I’m Noah Ropp, and I’m running for SCV Water Agency’s Division 1 to provide clean, affordable and sustainable water to all of the SCV. I’m a community environmental organizer who’ll be a tireless voice on the water board fighting for folks to be able to trust what comes out of their tap, to afford their tap whenever they need and to preserve water access for future generations.
I have experience combating an array of threats to communities right here in Southern California, be they water issues, dirty fuel projects, or utility-guzzling data centers. I also work regularly with public officials, community organizations and institutions from the municipal to the federal level, bringing that fluidity and adaptability to the board on day one.
I want to serve this valley as an official who will take an active role in fighting for our neighbors. Water rates in Santa Clarita have spiked by over 145% from 2015-2025, including a 10% increase in July 2025 while families are already struggling with household expenses. Santa Clarita residents deserve engaged representation fighting for affordability, cleanliness, and sustainability in their water supply, and if elected, I will be that voice.
Division 3
Ken Petersen
Ken Petersen is a registered professional civil engineer who practiced for over 40 years specializing in water system management, design, construction, and operation. He has the knowledge, experience and qualifications necessary to continue serving you on the SCV Water Board.
As the elected Director of the SCV Water Board, Division 3 and a 24-year resident of the SCV, Ken Petersen understands how vitally important a reliable, safe and affordable water supply is to our valley.
Ken Petersen is committed to: accomplishing SCV Water’s mission of providing a reliable supply of high-quality water at a reasonable cost; protecting our local underground water supplies and proactively developing additional imported supplies necessary to serve our community’s needs; supporting sensible and effective water conservation and recycling programs; ensuring that developers and future water users pay their fair share to expand existing facilities to provide the needed services; conducting all Agency business in an open and accountable manner.
Ken Petersen’s education (bachelor’s in engineering; master’s in civil engineering), extensive background in water system management, proven leadership and commitment to the SCV community including being a member of the Rotary Club of SCV, makes him the right choice for SCV Water Director, Division 3.
Maria Gutzeit
As an environmental engineer, business owner and mom, I understand the challenges facing families in the Santa Clarita Valley: balancing a budget, keeping our kids healthy, and planning for the future. I am running for re-election to ensure our water remains safe, reliable and affordable.
During my time on the board, I have prioritized fiscal responsibility, ensuring our long-term rate plans remain predictable for local families and small businesses. We have successfully expanded our state-of-the-art water treatment facilities, guaranteeing the water flowing into our homes and schools is pristine and safe.
My focus for the next term is clear. Water Quality: ensuring every drop we serve is healthy for all. Rate stability: protecting your household budget from unnecessary spikes. Water reliability: investing in local groundwater and infrastructure, so we are drought-resilient without burdensome mandates. Transparent leadership: making sure you know exactly how and why decisions are made.
The Santa Clarita Valley is our home. We need a water board that works quietly, efficiently, and for you. I humbly ask for your vote to continue protecting our community’s most essential resource. Let’s keep our valley’s water secure for our future. www.ElectMaria.com
Lynne Plambeck
As a previously elected water board member and public advocate with 30 years of local and statewide water experience, Lynne is a voice you can trust.
She voted to: ensure honest water supply reporting; cleanup ground water/ polluters pay; purchase a solar farm/ protect against energy shutoffs; protect the Santa Clara River; expand recycled water; and enhance transparency
She voted against rate increases.
Water Supply Goals: increase recycled water; protect current residents; development must pay its own way.
Long term sustainability is imperative to safeguard our community. Climate change must be considered in all decisions.
Lynne promotes open, honest government: meeting accessibility; fiscal responsibility/lower rates; water supply reporting must be honest – not overstated.
Previously Held Positions: alternate board member, SCV Groundwater Sustainability Agency; member, Association of Water Agencies, Groundwater Committee; member, Association of Water Agencies, Water Quality Committee; bachelor’s, California State University Northridge, graduate work in business.
Retired business owner; no money from corporate interests. She is a nonprofit executive board member with vision, operational and fundraising experience.
A board member must provide oversight of the public’s business and the taxpayers’ money. Lynne’s business and water background uniquely qualify her to provide this oversight. PlambeckforSCVWater.com
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