With the nomination period winding down, candidates for the June Primary Election are being set, with several positions having no one to challenge the incumbent.
Information for this story is based on the “unofficial” candidates list issued March 19 by the SLO County Clerk-Recorder, who is the top elections official.
It should be noted that a candidate must be certified as “qualified” to run by the Secretary of State’s Office before being placed on the local the ballot. There can be lag time between the Secretary’s review and the release of these candidate lists, and conflict with EBN’s deadlines for publication. If there is a significant change to any of these races before our next edition, we will do a follow up story.
Dist. 2 Supervisor
In the Dist. 2 Supervisor race, Michael Erin Woody of Morro Bay will square off with James Angelo Dantona.
Woody is from Morro Bay and Dantona listed his mailing address as Cayucos. If readers would like to contact the candidates, Woody’s website is listed as: www.woodyforsupervisor.com and Dantona is at: jimdantona.com.
With just two candidates, one will win the seat outright and avoid a November runoff. It would also mark the first time Morro Bay and Los Osos voters have had the chance to vote for their county supervisor since the 2018 election, when Bruce Gibson won in a re-drawn Second District.
In 2024, a new Board majority threw out the map approved in 2021 and returned the district boundaries to what they had been before redistricting.
Gibson has held the post since 2007 but last year announced that he would not seek a sixth term.
Michael Woody
Woody is a licensed civil engineer and a Salinan Indian whose family has roots in the area going back over a century. He is part of the Pierce Family, who were among the pioneers in the local abalone industry of the early 1930s.
Jim Dantona
Dantona was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley attending Simi Valley High School, and Sacramento State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in “government systems” according to a biography on his website.
For over a decade he worked as a chief of staff for four Los Angeles City Councilmen and was a city planning commissioner in Simi Valley for nearly a decade.
He came to San Luis Obispo County 20 years ago and was CEO of the SLO Chamber starting in 2019.
Dist. 3 Supervisor
Though Estero Bay Communities can’t vote in the Dist. 3 race, who sits on the Board of Supervisors is important to our communities.
In the race for Dist. 3 Supervisor incumbent Jimmy Paulding will face challenger Adam Verdin both of Arroyo Grande. Paulding is running for a second term.
Verdin grew up on Oceano, according to his website (see: verdinforsupervisor.com) where his family has owned and operated Old Juan’s Cantina Restaurant for some 50 years.
He is an attorney and the chief pilot for a corporate aviation company, having learned how to fly at 17 at the Oceano Airport. He is a community volunteer involved with several local organizations, among them Jack’s Helping Hand and the 5Cities Homeless Coalition.
His wife, Mary Verdin, owns a local marketing firm.
Paulding was born and raised in Arroyo Grande and attended Cal Poly studying city and regional planning. He’s worked on public works projects building roads, wastewater plants and criminal justice facilities, according to his website (see: jimmypaulding.org).
He earned a law degree from Santa Barbara and Venture College of Law and owns a small business consulting firm.
Both Paulding and Verdin will appear on the June 2 Ballot.
State Assembly
Also appearing on the ballot in the race for Dist. 30 State Assembly seat will be incumbent Dawn Addis of Morro Bay, running for her third, 2-year term. She is being challenged by Shannon Kessler of Arroyo Grande and Susannah Brown of SLO. Kessler is a Republican and Addis and Brown are Democrats.
Shannon Kessler
Kessler is a “mother, business owner and longtime Central Coast community volunteer” according to her website (see: www.kesslerforca.com).
“She has served as an Arroyo Grande Parks and Recreation Commissioner, PTA president, and coordinator of a local Moms Walking Club, working directly with families, schools, and neighbors to solve real community and children’s needs.
She is a co-owner of a local family construction company and real estate business. She has a long history in the agriculture community, as well.
Susannah Brown
According to Brown’s bio on her website (see: www.brownfor30.com) she is “a data strategy consultant and longtime Central Coast resident.”
She is founder and CEO of a data and strategy consultancy supporting regional housing, economic development, and infrastructure decision-making. She had experience in retail pharmacy operations leadership across 19 stores from Salinas to Santa Barbara.
She’s active with the South County Chambers of Commerce as chairperson (2025); board member (2024–2026); and government affairs chairperson (2023–2026).
She is also a volunteer finance director for a regional health and family services nonprofit and has held several leadership roles with local schools.
Her husband is a nuclear operator at Diablo Canyon, and she is well versed in energy issues.
“I bring direct, firsthand understanding of how energy policy decisions affect grid reliability, workers, ratepayers, and local school funding. That perspective shapes my focus on reliability, workforce safety, and responsible transitions — not rushed decisions that leave communities paying the price.”
She stated, “I’m running to represent the Central Coast with a practical, disciplined approach grounded in listening, learning, and showing up in every community, from San Luis Obispo County to Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.”
Dawn Addis
Addis was elected to the Assembly’s Dist. 30 seat in 2022 and represents portions of San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.
She previously served one term as a Morro Bay City Councilwoman from 2018-2022 before being elected to the State Assembly.
Addis was a teacher for 20 years in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and is the founding chair of the California Legislative Central Coast Caucus, the president of the California Legislative Central Coast Caucus Foundation, and the Assembly appointee to the Ocean Protection Council, according to her website (see: dawnaddis.org).
Addis is the first Democrat from San Luis Obispo County to serve in the State Assembly since 1922, and the first Democratic woman to ever hold the seat. She is also the first Democrat to represent the majority of San Luis Obispo County in the State Assembly since 1947.
Addis, Brown and Kessler will appear on the June Ballot. If no one gets over 50% of the vote, the top two will run off in November.
County Clerk-Recorder
The race for County Clerk-Recorder will have three women vying for the office, with incumbent Elaina Cano being challenged by Gaea Powell and Vanessa Rozo.
Vanessa Rozo
Rozo’s website (see: vanessarozosloclerkrecorder.com) says she is “a proven leader with 30+ years in management, compliance, and public service, bringing integrity, accuracy, and accessibility to our vital county office.”
She said, “My journey in San Luis Obispo County began in 1992 when my husband Mike and I chose Grover Beach as our home. For over 35 years, our life together has been a journey of love and support raising our two sons Troy and Bryan, and now delighting in our cherished grandchildren, Milo and Oliver. Our family deepened its roots on the Central Coast when we became franchise owners of N-Hance Wood Refinishing, Inc., in 2006, later opening our local shop in Oceano.
“This entrepreneurial journey has given me invaluable experience in managing operations, prioritizing customer service, and ensuring fiscal responsibility required to run an efficient trusted organization.”
As for the Clerk’s job, she said, “My commitments for a stronger SLO County — fair, legal, and ethical elections. I am dedicated to ensuring fair, legal, and ethical elections for all residents.”
Rozo added, “I will vigilantly protect the nonpartisan nature of this essential role. This includes working to eliminate the disenfranchising of voter precincts, lobbying against gerrymandering, and holding candidates accountable for campaign fraud by utilizing the Public Integrity Unit.”
Gaea Powell
Powell said on her website (see: gaea4clerk.com): “As a business consultant with over 30 years of experience, I bring the diverse skills, organizational insight, and leadership needed to manage the complex responsibilities and sworn duties of the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office.”
Her mission statement reads, “My mission is to restore common sense, transparency, and trust to San Luis Obispo County’s election process.
“I will speak out whenever state directives threaten the Constitutional Rights of the people of our county or attempt to silence or discredit citizens who raise legitimate election concerns.”
She lists several core election principles: voter ID required; U.S. citizens only; clean and accurate voter rolls; in-person voting with paper ballots; absentee ballots only for legitimate needs; same-day voting; same-say results; full transparency; more North County office access; and civics and election process education.
Powel made headlines last year when the District Attorney’s Office charged her with alleged election fraud in a previous race she entered for Arroyo Grande Mayor. Her website has an extended interview Powell did with New Times and she addresses the court case, which is ongoing, in depth. She claims she is innocent and being targeted for political reasons.
“From my perspective,” Powel said, “the DA’s investigation into me — the digital seizures, nine-month fishing expeditions, the attempt to paint me as some sort of criminal — was nothing more than political intimidation.
“I believe I was targeted because I have been outspoken in challenging the political machine, and because I filed complaints with the DA’s Public Integrity Unit regarding very real issues that harm the ‘people’ including federal law violations: child abuse and sexualization, anti-American policy implementation, and irregularities within the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.”
Powell’s case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 1.
Elaina Cano
Incumbent Cano is running for re-election to another 4-year term.
“Over the past four years serving as your County Clerk-Recorder, she said on her website (see: teamelainacano.com), I’ve focused on making our office more responsive, accessible, and transparent — because public service isn’t just a promise, it’s a responsibility.
“This role carries serious legal and democratic duties, from administering elections and safeguarding property records to issuing vital records and ensuring compliance with hundreds of state laws. There is no on-the-job training for this work. It requires experience, sound judgment, and the ability to lead accurately and confidently from day one.”
Cano took over the Clerk-Recorder position after former Clerk-Recorder Tommy Gong left for a position as Chief Deputy County Clerk-Recorder in Contra Costa County. Last August, Gong was hired as Clerk-Recorder for Lane County, Ore.
Cano won a full term in 2022. “I’ve overseen multiple elections, managed tens of thousands of public records, guided residents through essential services during both routine and challenging times, modernized critical systems, and fostered a team culture rooted in integrity, accountability, and public trust. In 2024 alone, our office issued and recorded thousands of vital records and official documents, expanded Express Marriage ceremonies, and brought pop-up services directly to communities across the county. We’ve also maintained transparent, accurate election administration while prioritizing clear communication, outreach, and voter education.
Cano added, “Looking ahead, I remain committed to protecting election integrity, expanding access to services countywide, supporting high civic participation, and continuing to modernize responsibly — always with care, accuracy, and respect for the public trust.”
According to her website bio, Cano is originally from Riverside. She came to the Central Coast in 1992 when her husband Marty earned a full-ride scholarship to play football at Cal Poly. They soon put down roots and started their family. Cano began her public service career in 1994 with the City of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department, and a few years later, in 1998, Marty joined the San Luis Obispo County Probation Department.
Other races
Several candidates will not be on the ballot as they were unchallenged. Judge Rita Federman and Judge Matthew Guerero were both unchallenged and will win in a walk over.
As of March 19, according to the latest list of candidates released by the Election’s Office, County Tax Assessor Tom Bordonaro, Jr., is also unopposed and unless there’s a last-minute addition, the race will not appear on the ballot.
County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector (ACTTC) James Hamilton was also not challenged for another term and won’t be on the ballot.
County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. James Brescia, recently announced that he would be retiring and not seek another term.
Joe Koski, the assistant superintendent of educational support services for the County Office of Education has qualified for the ballot to replace Sr. Brescia.
At this time, he may not have a challenger, as another long-time education figure in the County Office of Education, Michael Spechierla, in January announced his candidacy but has since pulled out of the race, according to a news report.
So, it appears that even though the County Election’s Office’s candidates list shows that Koski would appear on the Ballot, unless someone else filed to run at the 11th hour, he will win without a fight.
Also, Stacy Korsgaden of Grover Beach, who has twice run for Dist. 3 County Supervisor, has qualified for the ballot to run for Insurance Commissioner, a statewide office. She is listed as a Republican.
The incumbent Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, Democrat, is running for re-election as the first openly gay person to be elected to statewide office (in 2018) in State history.
What’s Ahead
According to the Clerk-Recorder’s website, ballots will be mailed to all registered voters beginning no later than May 4.
The last day to register to vote in this election is May 18. Conditional or “same day” registration is available within 14 days of the election and must be done in person only at either County Elections Office (SLO or Atascadero) or at a polling location or elections office on Election Day.
Preliminary results will be posted online as they come in but don’t expect a final count for at least a few weeks, as provisional ballots come in.
