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Salinas City Council · District 3
Cary Swensen
Fighting for Our Neighborhood
I'm running for Salinas City Council District 3 because our streets deserve to be safe, our families deserve a place to call home, and every neighbor deserves to feel secure.
My Priorities
What I'm Fighting For
These aren't just policy positions — they're the things I hear about every time I knock on a door in District 3.
Priority 01
Streets & Sidewalks
Our streets and sidewalks are the arteries of our neighborhood — and right now, too many of them are cracked, broken, or simply missing. I'll push for real investment in District 3's infrastructure so every family can walk safely to school, every senior can get around without fear, and every block reflects the pride we have in our community.
My Plan for Streets & Sidewalks
Redirect Existing Capital Funds Through a "Fix-It-First" Priority Policy
Reorder the city's existing capital improvement budget so basic infrastructure is funded before new development projects.
Many cities spend millions on new amenities, beautification projects, or consultant-driven initiatives while core infrastructure lags. A Fix It First ordinance requires that streets, sidewalks, and safety repairs receive priority in the existing budget cycle — no new taxes, just a reordering of what gets funded first.
Voters understand "fix what we already have before building new things."
Expand Use of State & Federal Infrastructure Grants Already Available to Cities
Bring in outside dollars that Salinas is already eligible for but not fully accessing.
Caltrans Active Transportation Program (ATP) funds sidewalks, bike lanes, and safe routes to school. Federal Safe Streets & Roads for All (SS4A) grants cover road safety improvements. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) support neighborhood infrastructure in qualifying census tracts. These programs do not require new local taxes — many cities simply leave money on the table by not applying or not submitting competitive proposals.
We will aggressively pursue every dollar available to District 3 — no excuses.
Create a Local "Adopt-a-Block" Public–Private Partnership for Sidewalk & Street Repairs
Partner with local businesses, nonprofits, and developers to co-fund small-scale repairs.
Businesses or organizations sponsor a block, intersection, or sidewalk segment. The city matches funds or provides labor and materials, focusing on quick-turnaround repairs: patching, grinding, curb fixes, and ADA ramps. This builds community pride and shared responsibility while stretching the existing maintenance budget further — generating new funding without raising taxes.
Shared investment means shared ownership of our neighborhood.
Priority 02
Affordable Housing
Salinas is home. But too many of our neighbors are one rent increase away from losing that home. I believe in building a district where working families, seniors, and young people can afford to stay — and thrive — right here in the community they love.
Priority 03
Public Safety
Feeling safe in your own neighborhood is a basic right, not a privilege. I'll work to strengthen the relationship between our community and our public safety officers — investing in both prevention and response so every block in District 3 is a place where families feel at home.
About the Candidate
About Cary
I’ve called Salinas home since 2009, when I moved here from Seattle to purchase the Sylvan Learning Center. From the moment I arrived, I knew this community was special — and I jumped in with both feet. Through Steinbeck Rotary, city and county appointments, and years of showing up for local schools, families, and neighborhoods, I’ve worked to strengthen the place we all call home. I’m not a career politician. I’m a neighbor who believes deeply in service — in investing in each other, in building connections, and in doing the work that helps a community rise together. I’ve built my businesses here. And I’ve spent years listening, learning, and leading alongside the people of Salinas. If you elect me to the City Council, I promise you this: I will always answer the door. I will always listen. And I will always fight for District 3 — with the same commitment I’ve shown since the day I arrived. When I’m not working, you’ll find me traveling, wine tasting, or spending time with family and friends — the people who remind me every day why community matters.If you elect me to the City Council, I promise you this: I will always answer the door. I will always listen. And I will always fight for District 3.
Support the Campaign
Fuel the Campaign
This is a grassroots campaign — powered by neighbors, not special interests.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us knock on more doors, reach more neighbors, and build the kind of community-powered campaign that can actually win. If you believe in a better District 3, chip in today.
Paid for by Cary Swensen for Salinas City Council
Get Involved
Join the Team
The most powerful thing in any campaign isn't money — it's people. If you believe in what we're building for District 3, I'd love to have you by my side.
Reach Out
Get in Touch
Have a question, a concern about your neighborhood, or just want to talk? I want to hear from you. This campaign is built on real conversations with real neighbors.