An Atascadero City Council member plans to run for mayor. Who else will be on the ballot?

Stephanie Zappelli
·2 min read

While two Atascadero City Council members battle for a seat on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, another member has his eye on the seat for mayor.

Though the General Election is still nine months away, Atascadero City Council member Charles Bourbeau announced his intention to run for mayor of Atascadero in a news release on Saturday.

Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno and Mayor Pro Temp Susan Funk are competing to replace Debbie Arnold as the District 5 representative on the Board of Supervisors.

Moreno, a Republican, has an edge in the district — which is home to 1,127 more registered Republicans than Democrats.

Still, the Board of Supervisors election is far from decided. Funk and Moreno have a few weeks left to convince voters to support their respective campaigns before Election Day on March 5.

Moreno’s term as mayor expires in 2024. If she doesn’t win the Board of Supervisors race, she could defend her seat as mayor in the November election.

When asked if he would challenge Moreno for her seat if she lost the District 5 race, Bourbeau told The Tribune that he did not expect her to run for another term as mayor.

Funk’s term as mayor pro tem ends in 2026. Bourbeau also told The Tribune he doesn’t expect Funk to run for mayor this fall.

The Atascadero City Council swore in its new council on Tuesday night. Pictured, from left, are: Councilman Brian Sturtevant, Councilwoman Roberta Fonzi, Mayor Tom O’Malley, outgoing Councilman Bob Kelley, new Councilman Charles Bourbeau and Councilwoman Heather Moreno.
The Atascadero City Council swore in its new council on Tuesday night. Pictured, from left, are: Councilman Brian Sturtevant, Councilwoman Roberta Fonzi, Mayor Tom O’Malley, outgoing Councilman Bob Kelley, new Councilman Charles Bourbeau and Councilwoman Heather Moreno.

Why run for mayor?

First elected to the Atascadero City Council in 2016, Bourbeau said he’s ready to take the leap to serving as mayor.

During the past seven years, the City Council increased funding for public safety and infrastructure — supporting projects like the pickleball courts, the Joy Playground, bridges and road improvements, he said.

“While I have been on council, our city has made great progress,” Bourbeau said in the news release. “As mayor, I want to continue that record of progress.”

Bourbeau was endorsed by Atascadero Unified School District trustee Donn Clickard and former Mayors Tom O’Malley and Rolfe Nelson.

“Charles is the right candidate for mayor in 2024,” O’Malley said in the news release. “He is thorough, thoughtful and knowledgeable and brings a common-sense approach to all issues facing the council. He is respected by his peers and ready to lead.”

Atascadero residents will have the chance to vote for mayor this fall.