During a brief event in front of City Hall Wednesday afternoon, Natalie Arroyo announced that she would seek a second term on the Eureka City Council, ending months-long speculation on her political future. A gaggle of enthusiastic supporters waved Arroyo’s blue and yellow signs and wore buttons handed out by the candidate sporting her new campaign slogan: “Eureka Proud.”

“[Eureka] is a place of opportunity where regular people can act on ideas, from opening a coffee shop or owning their first business to seeking out leadership opportunities for a meaningful new direction,” Arroyo said.

This year’s election will be the first since the passage of Measure P imposed a true ward system on Eureka. After last year’s efforts to redraw Eureka’s wards, Arroyo — currently the council member for the Fifth Ward — will now be running in the Third Ward where she will compete with already announced candidates John Fullerton and Jeannie Breslin. Arroyo reminded her supporters that they’d only be able to vote for her if they were ward mates.

 

“But no matter where in the area you live the outcome of this election will be important and you have a stake in what happens,” Arroyo said.

In her campaign speech Arroyo highlighted improvements to Eureka she’s seen during her first term. Eureka currently enjoys the lowest unemployment in its recorded history, Arroyo said, noting that the legal cannabis industry has added hundreds of well-paying jobs. Real estate values are up and long-vacant buildings are being restored. Lodging taxes have increased which signals a rise in tourism. Arroyo hopes to continue playing a role in Eureka’s rise. 

“In 2018, I’m coming forward as a candidate who knows the city and who has a vision that I’m confident I share with our staff, fellow council members and many, many residents just like you,” Arroyo said. 

Here’s a press release from Arroyo’s campaign:

Natalie Arroyo, current Eureka City Councilwoman, has officially launched her 2018 campaign for re-election today, April 18, 2018. She made an announcement at Eureka City Hall before a crowd of supporters mid-day.

 

Natalie has served on the Eureka City Council since 2014, taking action on a wide range of issues and leading incredible progress in the areas of economic development, infrastructure changes, land use planning, and improvements to parks, trails and public spaces. During Natalie’s time on the Council, Eureka has also set the stage to better meet the expectations of residents and business owners by developing robust and actionable plans to guide the City over the coming years.

Natalie says, “I’m thrilled to be running for a second and final term on the Eureka City Council, where dynamic and exciting changes are happening! I’m deeply committed to public service, and plan to commit the next 4 years to strengthening and diversifying our local economy, making positive changes to public infrastructure to support quality of life of residents, and being a fair, kind and courageous leader to make balanced, good decisions that have long-term payoff for everyday people.”

To find out more about how Natalie Arroyo plans to accomplish these goals and learn more about why Natalie is Eureka Proud, please visit www.VoteNatalieArroyo.com.

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