Carlyn Christianson (incumbent) took first in the San Luis Obispo City Council race Nov. 6 with 26.96 percent of votes.
Christianson was the only candidate running with prior experience on the council; she has been a member for the past five years.
Christianson first moved to San Luis Obispo in 1989 with her husband and two sons. In an email to Mustang News she wrote she was “lured by the green hills, the coastal beauty and the energetic college town.”
Along with serving on city council, Christianson is an administrative assistant at Transitions Mental Health Association and has had a long career as a healthcare administrator for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Newcomer Erica A. Stewart placed second with 20.64 percent of votes.
Stewart is director of parent and student philanthropy at Cal Poly and serves as the Alumni Association President.
Stewart first arrived in San Luis Obispo as a Cal Poly freshman in 1990 and has been a resident for more than 20 years. While at Cal Poly, she served as Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) president for the 1994-1995 academic year. Stewart currently serves as a Civil Services Commissioner for the county. She is involved in multiple nonprofits in the county, including the Downtown Association and League of Women Voters.
Seven candidates ran for two open seats on the City Council. Council members have the same voting power as the mayor in San Luis Obispo.