SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – With 13 candidates vying for three open seats on the South Lake Tahoe City Council, it is important to spend time knowing what they stand for, how much they understand the city and its issues, and how well they would handle sitting on the dais at meetings and on required commissions.

There were two recent opportunities to meet the candidates and talk with them, but an estimated 35 people showed up across the two events. There is concern about how well voters are vetting the candidates in the important election.

All elections matter, but with recent national news about local council leadership, now is the time to build a cohesive council that understands the issues, values leadership, and can represent the City well – together.

The person must be a collaborator. They will not only be working with the rest of the council, but they will also be representing the City by being on the boards of multiple agencies, including the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). If the person elected doesn’t understand what they are voting on at the multi-jurisdictional level, we’re in trouble.

This isn’t the time to bring in people who don’t understand the big picture, who don’t know how to work well with others, and who are representing factions on the west slope or elsewhere.

City residents and staff deserve better.

Know the candidates. Can they lead with wisdom and compassion? Will they make you proud of being a South Lake Tahoe citizen?

Keith Roberts and David Jinkens are remaining on the council, so voters will be choosing the other three members of the five-member council. The City’s mayor is selected by a majority of the council from one of the council members.

We need to choose from the candidates who have proven board or commission experience, have integrity, are responsible, and are above reproach.

Current Councilmember Heather Horgan has had a one-year job interview, understands the workings of the city and the council, and was appointed to represent the city on some local boards. She can continue to lead with passion, compassion, and integrity. Read her South Tahoe Now interview HERE.

John Friedrich was a previous councilmember and left his position two months before the end of his term after the deaths of his parents, having served almost four years. He has become refocused on the community and brings with him experience and dedication to those he would serve. Read his South Tahoe Now interview HERE.

Erika Gonzalez is not a newcomer to the community or to serving on local commissions. Raised in South Lake Tahoe, she returned after becoming a lawyer working with those experiencing human trafficking. She was appointed to the first Police Advisory Commission and is a member of the TRPA Tahoe Living Working Group, the South Lake Tahoe Planning Commission, and other groups. She is passionate and informed, and knows how to work with others for results. Read her South Tahoe Now interview HERE.

These three could walk into the position and hit the road running without a big learning curve.

Other candidates should be commended for running and could also take the dais, and most appear to have the City’s and community’s best interests at heart. For those wishing to learn more about all candidates, reach out to them. For those not already participating in government, it will be great to see their upcoming interest in participating in the solutions for South Lake Tahoe while on commissions, committees, and via other paths.

Read their submitted interview questions with South Tahoe Now (you won’t find Doug Williams’ responses, as he did not turn them in; no response from Veronica Morales either):

Kelly O’Haire: https://southtahoenow.com/09/23/2026/south-lake-tahoe-city-council-candidate-profile

Gantt Miller: https://southtahoenow.com/09/21/2026/south-lake-tahoe-city-council-candidate-profile-gantt-miller

Aimi Xistra: https://southtahoenow.com/09/29/2026/south-lake-tahoe-city-council-candidate-profile-aimi-xistra

Dina Ramaha-Pino: https://southtahoenow.com/09/28/2026/south-lake-tahoe-city-council-candidate-profile-dina-ramaha-pino

Grant McCracken: https://southtahoenow.com/09/26/2026/south-lake-tahoe-city-council-candidate-profile-grant-mccracken

Scott Robbins: https://southtahoenow.com/09/24/2026/south-lake-tahoe-city-council-candidate-profile-scott-robbins

Dyna Boen: https://southtahoenow.com/09/22/2026/south-lake-tahoe-city-council-candidate-profile-dyna-boen

Nick Piliae: https://southtahoenow.com/09/20/2026/south-lake-tahoe-city-council-candidate-profile-nick-piliae

To view all items related to the 2026 local election, visit https://southtahoenow.com/category/elections-2026.