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

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

Some people have been asking about how the Better Arguments Project could apply in Pacific Grove. I was honored to partner with the Aspen Institute and Facing History and Ourselves as we explored how communities, large and small, can strengthen civic dialogue. How We Started The project began with a hopeful premise: disagreement can be constructive. Different perspectives can deepen understanding and lead to better decisions when people approach one another with curiosity,

Since filing to represent District 3 on the City Council, I’ve enjoyed spending time with so many people who know and love our city. It’s been a real pleasure to hear from residents, business owners, civic leaders, volunteers, and young people who feel strongly connected to Pacific Grove and have great ideas about what comes next. One highlight was meeting members of the BreakerBots, our youth robotics club. Their curiosity and enthusiasm are infectious! I'm so inspired a

One thing I've learned through service on the California Governor’s Military Council is that national security spending has a much larger impact on our local economy than many people realize. California’s National Security Economy California is home to more than 30 federal military installations. During fiscal year 2024, military and national security activity generated an estimated $207 billion in economic activity, representing approximately 5% of the state’s economy. The s

One of my most rewarding experiences has been investing in the next generation by mentoring students at California State University, Monterey Bay. Every conversation with today's students reminds me they're preparing to lead in a world that's changing fast. Artificial intelligence, geopolitical uncertainty, climate change, and shifting expectations about work are reshaping nearly every profession. For many young people I know, starting their professional careers is proving a

November 2026 marks the first time that PG voters will elect councilmembers by district. The map & election schedule On March 5, 2025, the City Council adopted a six-district map, known during the process as Map 101. The Council favored this map because it: Closely follows PG Unified School District boundaries Keeps neighborhoods intact Creates three coastal districts The transition is happening in two phases: 2026: Districts 1, 3 and 5 elect councilmembers, and voters citywi