Listen, Lead, & Lift. Listen You can expect me to start by listening. I want to understand what you are experiencing in Pacific Grove, what is working well, and where we can do better. I care deeply about this community and about making life better for the people who call it home. Lead You can also expect me to get things done! I have led through incredibly difficult situations in the military, business, and government, at all levels. I know how to bring people together, work

Pacific Grove residents for office are able to provide a candidate statement of up to 200 words. Here's mine. Below it, you can find my current issues paper. I’m Tara Leweling – a wife, aunt, woman veteran, small business owner, and proud Pacific Grove resident. My connection to PG began in 1999, when I was stationed at the Naval Postgraduate School and lived on the 100 block of Central Avenue in District 3. I returned to NPS in 2004 for my PhD and met my husband. We dreamed

My approach to Pacific Grove local government is focused on respectful dialogue, open-minded leadership, and practical solutions.

Ensuring residents and future generations are able to enjoy the natural beauty of Monterey Bay and our coastline is a high priority, and I appreciate that our city takes coastal stewardship seriously. Protecting Monterey Bay and Our Local Voice Along with our neighboring cities and local institutions, Pacific Grove should be a strong voice for ensuring Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary protections remain in place. Our local knowledge about the Bay and views about its fut

Pacific Grove faces an estimated $21 million infrastructure investment gap over the next 10 years. Closing that gap will require disciplined prioritization. The American Tin Cannery revitalization could help expand the city’s tax base, while competitive grants can help us make investments that would otherwise be difficult to fund locally. I also think infrastructure planning should be more visible to residents. We should be able to explain what needs attention, what is most u

Pacific Grove’s local economy gives our city its character. Our independent businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals make PG distinctive. The way people work is also changing. Remote work is more common, artificial intelligence is reshaping many professions, and more people are building businesses outside traditional employment. I’d like Pacific Grove to think more intentionally about how we support local businesses while creating opportunities for the next gener

Housing is one of the most complex issues facing our city and a topic that residents regularly cite as top of mind. An important starting point is acknowledging that housing affordability has been a concern in PG for several decades. In 1970, homes in PG were relatively affordable compared to income. That changed by 1980, when the median home became worth about six times the income of a typical PG household. By 1990, it was nearly eight times, and today it is more than 11 tim

Careful stewardship of public resources is fundamental to good city governance, and it is central to how I’d serve. I’ve chaired, served on, and worked with boards of directors for organizations ranging from $5 million nonprofits to $50 billion+ companies. That experience taught me how to set priorities and manage tradeoffs when resources are limited. Combined with 22 years of military service and leading financial communications at a $57 billion enterprise that reported its

Pacific Grove’s architecture, public spaces, and arts community all contribute to the character that makes our city distinctive. I’d like to see more opportunities to showcase local artists and deepen partnerships with arts organizations and schools. From a city code perspective, we also have an existing structure to build from. Pacific Grove’s Municipal Code already provides for a Cultural Arts Commission, although it is not currently active. One idea would be to modernize t

I'll be at the PG farmers market on Monday, September 7. I hope to see you there!

CSUMB is hosting an ADU Summit on September 17. I'm looking forward to hearing more about housing affordability at the ADU Summit at CSUMB. I hope to see you there. Disclaimer: Mention of state of California entities is for biographical purposes only and does not imply an endorsement.

I’m looking forward to participating in the Pacific Grove Candidate Forum on Tuesday, September 15, at the Pacific Grove Performing Arts Center. The forum is being organized and moderated by the Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce and League of Women Voters of Monterey County. It begins at 6 p.m. and will include candidates for mayor and City Council, including the District 3 race. I hope you’ll come by. I’d love to see you there.

The oldest marine laboratory on the West Coast is right here in Pacific Grove. I'm excited about the open house on September 12. I hope to see you there! Disclaimer: Any reference to external entities is for biographical purposes only and does not imply an endorsement.

I'll be at CSUMB on September 10th, learning more with leaders and experts from across the peninsula about how AI is affecting our region. Please say hello if you are attending too!

I’m looking forward to Nautical Day at Point Pinos Lighthouse on Monday, September 7. Point Pinos is one of Pacific Grove’s remarkable landmarks. First lit in 1855, it is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the West Coast! Mostly, I’m looking forward to a fun afternoon and seeing people there. Hope to see you too!

I'll be cheering for Monterey FC on Saturday, September 5. Hope to see you there.

One of the best parts of this campaign has been the opportunity to connect with people across Pacific Grove. Conversations have covered a range of topics, from opportunities for young people and veterans to our streets, housing, the waterfront, and the future of important properties in our community. Here are a few things I’ve been hearing. Paid Internships Several students in our community are looking for paid internships, which can be an important bridge between education a

I’ll be downtown Pacific Grove on Friday, September 4, enjoying the arts, local businesses, and community spirit that make our downtown such a special part of Pacific Grove. I hope to see you there!

Catch up on recent local coverage of Tara Leweling and the Pacific Grove City Council District 3 election, including news stories and community posts.

I'll be at the PG farmers market on Monday, August 31. Please stop by to say hello!