This November, a battle — an epic one, no doubt — will play out for two Arcata City Council seats. The incumbents, Meredith Matthews and Kimberley White, are attempting to retain control of their positions; five others have decided to run. Who are they?

Note: These candidates “pulled” the paperwork necessary to run, Arcata’s city clerk told us yesterday, and are gathering the needed signatures or finalizing the paperwork. White is, as of yesterday, the only one who has qualified. 

Genevieve Serna

An analyst with the county’s elections office, Serna ran for city council during the last cycle in 2024. She lost out on claiming a seat by only 300 votes, the best showing by anyone running who wasn’t already on the council. She’s also the only loser from that ballot making another attempt. (So far.)

She’s also the chair of the city’s Transportation Safety Committee, which she’s been on since 2022. Making getting around Arcata safer was one of her top priorities in 2024; according to her website, she’s an advocate for slower speed limits, enhanced crosswalks, and cyclist-friendly infrastructure. She was in favor of raising the sales tax and was looking forward to the construction of the Arcata Cap because of the safety and connectivity improvements and the potential to build some housing. 

“I hold a deep love for Arcata and cherish its breathtaking natural setting and vibrant spirit,” she wrote on her website. “I am dedicated to the future of our city and determined to enhance Arcata for both longtime residents and newcomers. My vision includes welcoming growth while recognizing Arcata’s idyllic charm, making it a place where everyone can thrive amid its unique blend of nature and community.”

Abigail Strickland

Strickland is on the city’s planning commission and is a transportation program analyst for the California Coastal Commission, according to her LinkedIn. She’s also on the board of the Environmental Protection Information Center; she’s “passionate about public service, planning, and improving the quality of life for current and future generations,” EPIC’s website says. 

Strickland doesn’t appear to have announced her campaign anywhere. She didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Blase Bonpane

Bonpane, 54, is currently a substitute teacher, though in the past he’s lectured for Cal Poly Humboldt’s and College of the Redwoods’ politics programs. He told the Outpost today that he thinks he’s a “highly qualified” candidate; his degrees, from UC Berkeley in peace and conflict studies, and a master’s in public administration from the University of Washington, should attest to that, he said, but he’s also served on the boards of various organizations, both ones with a local scope and larger ones. 

If elected, his top priorities are focusing on dealing with the effects of climate change, “improving our responsiveness to Indigenous people,” “building a profitable while socially responsible business environment,” maintaining Arcata as a sanctuary city and resisting ICE, and also preventing “political denial” from corrupting local politics, which, he said, is the “most dangerous plague that has ever faced humanity.” Some of his examples of political denial: genocide denial, denying Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, and denying that Arcata’s city government has ever publicly opposed a political issue. (He cited the annual lantern lighting ceremony and its relationship with Camoapa, Nicaragua as times it has.)

“I think that the city council is great, but we can always improve,” he said. “And I think it’s pretty hard to find someone — to find a candidate with as much experience and background and education as I have.”

Dan Shahin

Shahin’s the only new challenger to the council who has officially announced his run for council, late last year. Shahin is a software engineer and Palestinian-American who, at one point, frequently attended council meetings to advocate for a sister city relationship with Gaza, but his platform’s pillars are affordable housing, keeping the environment healthy, engaging the community and developing the economy by encouraging entrepreneurship and simplifying permitting. 

Public safety is also a huge concern of his, he wrote to the Outpost. He’d like to limit new construction to a maximum of three stories so the fire department can easily service them if there’s an emergency.

“We recently saw a two story fire in Arcata require every firefighter in the county just to barely prevent a true catastrophe,” he wrote. “While modern construction may be safer, we must trust the firefighting professionals when they raise a warning flag.”

He was on Arcata’s economic development committee for two years and is the vice president of the board of trustees for the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. 

“With his combination of professional expertise, community involvement, and fresh perspective, Dan Shahin is ready to serve Arcata with integrity, transparency, and dedication to the common good,” he wrote on his website. “He looks forward to working with fellow council members, city staff, and residents to build a stronger, more sustainable future for our community.”

Reese Halter

Who’s this guy? Well, his website says he’s a “a decorated scientist, prolific writer, author, poet, barnstormer, philosopher (cherisher of knowledge) and passionate lover of The Great Mystery, Mother Earth” and is focused on a big list of issues, most of them environmental, though he also wants to remove “big corporate money” from politics and to regulate AI. What else do you need to know? 

Well, if that’s not enough, he’s got endorsements from people he claims is a former producer for NBC and two Tasmanian senators. 

“I love this planet,” he wrote. “I have dedicated my life to learning, serving, defending Mother Earth and leading. I am a decorated PhD scientist and a compassionate vegan. Arcata’s counter-culture community and progressive politics are robust. We embrace kindness and simple living.”

The 2026 election will be held November 3. Candidates have until August 7 to finish filing their paperwork.