Christina Strawbridge, a local business owner and City Councilmember since 2011, is seeking an additional term. (Courtesy photo)

City Council member Christina Strawbridge will be running for re-election in November, seeking to retain her seat on the council for an additional term.
In an interview with the Herald Monday, Strawbridge said she feels confident that she has done a good job thus far and hopes all the people who have supported her during the course of her current term will continue to do so.
“People who know me know I have a passion for the town. I give 100 percent to keeping Benicia the great place it is,” she said. “I hope voters will continue to have that confidence in me.”
Strawbridge says she would bring extensive experience to the job, with her time on the council since 2011 in addition to a stint on the Economic Development Board from 2006 to 2011, among other civic involvements in Benicia over nearly a quarter century.
“I helped establish and produce the farmers’ market, which is now in its 24th year,” she said.
Originally, Strawbridge says, she decided to run for City Council in 2011 as a natural next step after her involvement with downtown and tourism efforts and economic development. Now, after extensive work with the council making decisions on budgets and revenue and working to enhance opportunity for business in the industrial park, she would like to keep that momentum going.
“We haven’t gotten broadband in the park yet, which is essential for 21st century businesses,” she said. “After the death of the president from Lit San Leandro, the company that was so instrumental in moving forward with upgrading the Industrial Park, that company has been in transition. Reps have been out (recently) and are deciding whether or not to move forward with this.”
Regarding Valero Benicia Refinery’s current Crude-By-Rail project proposal, Strawbridge says she is on the side of safety.
“I asked that we send a request to the California Public Utilities Commission because they have a whole rail safety division,” she said. Essentially, she says,“I’m looking at this from a safety angle.”
Strawbridge has an optimistic view of Benicia’s future.
“We’re on the cusp of success,” she said. “I have been involved in many different phases of the development of our town. The downtown has become viable for restaurants and businesses, and I believe we will continue that momentum. We will make a difference out in the Industrial Park. And we still have the Gateway, former Seeno project, that will hopefully be coming to planning in the next few years.”
Strawbridge has renewed a pledge she made at the start of her current term, namely to decline to accept compensation from the city for her service on the council.
“There is a monthly salary, plus health insurance including for family members,” she told the Herald.
By her own estimation, she saved the city around $125,000 over the course of her current, five-year term by declining the compensation.
Regarding her odds of winning another council term, Strawbridge is highly confident. “
I have the entire council behind me,” she said.
In addition to the support of her fellow councilmembers, who she says all signed her nominating papers, Strawbridge has been endorsed by Congressman Mike Thompson, Supervisor Erin Hannigan and Supervisor Linda Seifert.
Other candidates for City Council include incumbent councilmember Tom Campbell, Economic Development Board Vice Chair Lionel Largaespada and planning commissioners Steve Young and George Oakes.
For more information about Strawbridge’s campaign, visit christinaforbeniciacouncil.com.

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