Press release from Sarah Schaefer:

Sarah Schaefer has been serving on the City Council since 2020 and is excited to announce the launch of her reelection campaign. “I am honored to serve my community that I was born and raised in, and I want to continue the work I am doing for the next generation of Arcata.”

Sarah is a history teacher and school administrator who has always had a deep sense of purpose related to public service and a strong connection to her community here in Arcata. During her tenure on Council she has served as Mayor and Vice-Mayor as well as serving as chair of the Redwood Coast Energy Authority board and Co-Chair of the Equity Arcata board. Sarah is not only an active councilmember with strong working relationships with city staff and community partners but is engaged in regional work for Humboldt County through participation in local boards. Through numerous study sessions and special meetings on the Gateway Area and General Plan, Sarah has proven her ability as Mayor to lead and facilitate discussion in a meaningful and productive way.

Sarah has strongly supported policies to generate housing and protect tenants in Arcata. This includes championing infill to protect our natural areas and agricultural lands and supporting the City’s rental assistance and rental inspection programs. Sarah brings the perspective as a renter to the City Council and wants to continue to work on issues that are important to renters in Arcata.

She is also an advocate for active transportation in Arcata, helping adopt the City’s complete streets policy and enhance the City’s bike lanes and trail network. Sarah knows that sustainable transportation options will help Arcata battle climate change and improve the livability of our community.

Sarah is endorsed early on by other local elected officials including Humboldt County Supervisors Mike Wilson and Natalie Arroyo. When asked about working with Schaefer, Arroyo said, “It’s a pleasure to work with Sarah on regional issues of significance. She is deft and conscientious when navigating big challenges, and leads with great skill. I trust her to keep doing an awesome job for Arcata and the redwood coast!”

Schaefer also has endorsements from Redwood Coalition for Climate & Environmental Responsibility (RCCER), Colin Fiske of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities (CRTP), and Tom Wheeler and Matt Simmons of the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) showing her commitment to sustainability and environmental efforts. Colin Fiske of CRTP state that “Sarah is a thoughtful and effective leader with a strong record of putting Arcata’s social and environmental values into action.”

According to Sarah, “I am launching my reelection because I want to continue to serve Arcata and work to bring more varied and affordable housing options, economic development opportunities, and sustainable transportation to the Arcata Community.”