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On the Nov. 5 ballot, Sausalito voters will be asked to pick three City Council members. Two incumbents, Melissa Blaustein and Ian Sobieski, are seeking second terms. Councilmember Janelle Kellman is stepping down as she ramps up her campaign for lieutenant governor in 2026.

The race has drawn three solid challengers – former Mayor Sandra Bushmaker, former Marin County Counsel Steven Woodside and Jacqueline Amrikhas, local certified public accountant.

Over the past few years, Sausalito has faced significant challenges. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic closed much of downtown, limiting the sales tax and parking charges on which the city budget relies.

The city had the costly challenge of a homeless encampment and the lawsuits it generated. In addition, the city lost its insurance coverage due to excessive losses. It is paying significantly more for new coverage. The city is also facing the task of repairing its aging streets, sewers, drainage systems and landslide risks.

Blaustein and Sobieski have proven to be two strong council members and should be retained. Blaustein is enthusiastic and provides the perspective “of a younger generation” to city discussions. Sobieski is a problem solver and says he looks for opportunities for collaborative resolution.

“I block and tackle problems,” he says, calling himself “an out-of-the-box thinker.”

Bushmaker, an attorney and mediator, says the council and City Hall need the institutional memory she has about the city. She served on the council, including two terms as mayor, from 1998 to 2002. She’s stayed involved and would be a good addition to the council.

Woodside also offers a depth of experience, especially in municipal law and management. He is a former Marin County Counsel, having served in that post after years of working for Santa Clara and Sonoma counties.

He knows the law. He knows the city’s legal responsibilities, liabilities and limitations. The breadth of his governmental experience could be what the City Council needs as it navigates issues from liabilities to complying with the state mandate that the city build 724 units of housing over the next seven years.

Woodside says his goal is to bring “civility” to city discussions. He’s also voiced concern about the neighboring Golden Gate National Recreation Area doing its part to support the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority’s work to create “defensible space around our town.”

Among the candidates, there’s not much support for a proposed multi-story 57-unit housing complex along Bridgeway. Bushmaker, for example, says it’s too large and doesn’t fit the historic character of the area. Building “luxury” housing, she says, is not an answer to the city’s shortage of affordable housing. Amrikhaus calls the proposal “a monstrosity.”

All but Amrikhas support the city’s formation and investment in a downtown Business Improvement District. Woodside says it has strong propertyowner support. Sobieski and Blaustein say the city’s investment is aimed at boosting local business, which should increase city tax and parking revenue.

Both Amrikhas, Bushmaker and Woodside are critical of the county’s lengthy meetings that stretch beyond midnight and Woodside suggests the council adopt a 10 p.m. curfew. Bushmaker and Sobieski say the council should hold more meetings, if necessary.

Amrikhas is likely the voters’ choice if they feel the city is headed in the wrong direction, especially financially. She says the council is making decisions based on “fantasy numbers.”

Bushmaker and Woodside both offer experience in local government leadership. Bushmaker already has had a chance on the council. Woodside offers a breadth of experience in municipal governance and administration that could prove valuable to any council.

Many believe this election could be a close call with divergent views about what needs to change. In the Sausalito council race, the IJ editorial board recommends incumbents Melissa Blaustein and Ian Sobieski, as well as challenger Steven Woodside, on the Nov. 5 ballot.