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

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

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 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’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!

Adding bicycle racks to the Central Avenue business district could make it even more welcoming for residents and visitors. Pacific Grove has bicycle racks throughout downtown and along parts of the coast. Adding a few well-placed racks would make it easier for residents and visitors to bike to local businesses on Central Ave, while supporting a more connected, bike-friendly Pacific Grove. It's a small investment that could make our Central Avenue corridor even more inviting.

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