Four Candidates Qualify for Three Auburn City Council Seats

Cover Photo Credit:  Explore Auburn

The filing deadline has passed, and four candidates have qualified for three Auburn City Council seats on the November ballot.

The seats held by Council Member Mike Holmes, Mayor Kelley Davis, and Council Member Sandra Amara were already scheduled to expire this year. Holmes passed away in June, and his interim successor, who will serve until the elected successor takes office, has yet to be determined.

Placer County’s Final Qualified Candidate List for the election includes four candidates: Kelley Davis, Bridget Powers, Erik Robb, and Stephanie McKenzie. Council Member Amara is not listed among the qualified candidates.

Photo Credit:  Placer County Elections Office

Mayor Kelley Davis is seeking another term on the Auburn City Council. Her campaign website highlights her years of Auburn public service, while her background includes work in nutrition and international nutrition programs. Her campaign emphasizes economic development, responsible spending, public safety, and quality of life.

Davis also emphasizes her support for Auburn’s Fourth of July fireworks display, which the City Council approved in a 4-1 vote in April.

Bridget Powers, a former Auburn mayor and Placer County District 5 Director, is also seeking a council seat. Her campaign emphasizes forest health and fire safety, support for local businesses, public safety, and fiscal accountability.

Her platform also calls for additional wildfire preparedness, “Buy Local” initiatives, and efforts to secure state and federal funding. Powers is endorsed by Placer County Supervisors Gustafson and DeMattei, as well as Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo.

Photo Credit:  City of Auburn / Mayor Kelley Davis

Photo Credit:  Instagram / Bridget Powers

Erik Robb is campaigning primarily on development, environmental protection, and government transparency. A 31-year Auburn resident, Robb identifies local economic development, environmental stewardship, public safety, transparency and quality of life as his five priorities.

Robb opposes what he characterizes as speculative megaprojects and industrial-scale data centers and proposes greater transparency in city spending.

With a local push to “DeFlock” Auburn and an upcoming community forum on the issue, questions about surveillance, privacy, and government oversight could also become part of the broader City Council campaign conversation.

Robb’s campaign website does not currently include a candidate photo. OpGov.News located several social media profiles that appear to belong to Robb, although the profiles have not been independently verified.

Limited campaign information is currently available for Stephanie McKenzie, who does not appear to have a current campaign website.  While she has submitted a Statement of Qualifications to the county, the county elections office told OpGov.News that these are still in the process of being proofed before release.

Publicly available information connects McKenzie to previous public service, including a former position on the Marysville City Council. Information also appears to connect McKenzie to the Yuba-Sutter Community Task Force and SayLove Yuba and Sutter County.

Her current campaign information, including her priorities and positions on Auburn issues, remains limited. OpGov.News has contacted McKenzie seeking additional information about her campaign and will continue coverage of the race throughout the election season.

With three seats available and four candidates on the ballot, the candidates are emphasizing different issues. Davis is focusing on city leadership, finances, and economic development; Powers is emphasizing wildfire preparedness, public safety, and fiscal accountability; and Robb is focusing on development, environmental protection, and transparency. More information about McKenzie’s campaign and positions remains forthcoming.

As the campaign continues, additional information about city finances, development proposals, wildfire preparedness, public safety, and other local issues will give Auburn voters a clearer picture of the candidates and their positions.

To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at robert.m@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below with your thoughts.