Salinas mayor won’t seek re-election

Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig has announced in a press release she will not be running for re-election, citing issues with the City Council.

“The general ability to facilitate open, transparent and mutually respectful council discussions has become increasingly challenging,” Craig said in her press release. “Many community members have recognized that the meetings have become longer and the dialogue between councilmembers and the public is more contentious. This form of governance has become untenable for me.”

Craig has been a Salinas council member for eight years and will have served four years as mayor.

“I am honored and have loved serving the public and hope to continue doing so in some other meaningful form in the future,” Craig said. “Simply stated, it’s time to transition that experience to another capable leader.”

Craig noted she ran on a platform of encouraging economic development and increasing police and fire personnel for the city. She says those aren’t the primary priorities for the current City Council. She said she has concerns over the economic future of the city.

“There is a growing, long-term structural deficit, and unfunded liabilities that need to be addressed,” the press release said.

Craig was first elected to the city council to represent the 5th district in 2010. Craig, who was a 35-year-old public relations business owner at the time, ousted single-term councilman Steve Villegas. In 2020, she defeated Chris Berrera in the mayor’s race. In 2022, she unsuccessfully ran for county supervisor, a seat eventually won by Glenn Church.

Craig is currently the President and CEO of the Monterey County Business Council.

“I do want to acknowledge I am incredibly encouraged by the residents who step up to use their voices, the leadership of the Interim City Manager and the City Attorney, the great work of the current city employees, and the new beginnings of a new City Manager who starts next week,” Craig said. “I refuse to be a lame duck with the time I have left. I will do what I’ve always done – be a workhorse for Salinas. I have plenty on my plate to stay engaged through my entire term. I
encourage the residents of Salinas to watch the council meetings and join me in working for a better future in the next chapter for Salinas.”