Angel Zuniga to Run for Watsonville District 5 Seat
The candidate seeks the council seat in the election scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in City Hall
Live Poll
Do you feel your local city council candidates are prioritizing the issues that matter to you?
Angel Zuniga has announced his candidacy for the Watsonville City Council District 5 seat in the upcoming election on November 3, 2026. The winner of this contest will go on to serve as the city mayor throughout 2027 under Watsonville's rotating mayor system.
Why it matters
Zuniga aims to provide a voice for the local Spanish-speaking community and believes the city requires leadership with a focus on personnel management and actionable change. His platform addresses a seat currently held by incumbent Casey Clark, who is also running for reelection.
The Watsonville City Council recently voted 5-2 to reduce the total number of Flock cameras operating in the city. The upcoming election will determine who holds the District 5 seat for the 2027 term.
The players
Angel Zuniga
He is a candidate for the Watsonville City Council District 5 seat and a member of the Watsonville Personnel Commission.
Casey Clark
He is the current holder of the District 5 seat and is seeking reelection to the city council.
The details
Angel Zuniga currently serves on the Watsonville Personnel Commission and works as an operations manager for Americold Logistics in Salinas. He is campaigning for the District 5 seat, which encompasses the central part of Watsonville, to bring his professional experience to city governance.
Timeline
2018: Angel Zuniga began his tenure at Americold Logistics.
2022: Casey Clark began occupying the District 5 council seat.
November 3, 2026: The Watsonville city council election takes place.
2027: The winner of the District 5 election serves as mayor.
Political Context
The contest is structured by the Watsonville rotating mayor system, which determines mayoral leadership through council seat rotations. This candidacy marks a direct challenge to the incumbent's ability to retain the seat and the subsequent mayoral appointment for 2027.
Residents in District 5 will vote to select their representative and the city's next mayor for 2027. This outcome will influence local policy priorities, including the ongoing implementation of security technology like Flock cameras.
The takeaway
Voters will decide both a council representative and a mayor through the single District 5 contest. Residents should review candidate platforms to understand how their priorities align with the city's future leadership.
What happens next
The election for the District 5 seat will be held on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the upcoming vote on the City Hall page.
More information
View the interactive council districts map to see local boundaries.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Live Poll
Do you feel your local city council candidates are prioritizing the issues that matter to you?
