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San Luis Obispo City Council member Emily Francis announced her bid for reelection on May 17 at The Bunker, setting the stage for a contested November race that could reshape local policy on housing and public services. With two council seats on the ballot, voters will decide whether incumbents keep steering the city’s response to homelessness and park improvements—or hand the majority to new voices.
Francis seeks another term
Francis, who has served on the council since winning election in 2022, said she plans to continue the initiatives she helped launch over the past four years. As vice mayor—an appointment made by the council—she often fills in when the mayor is unavailable and has become deeply involved in policy details, she told attendees.
She emphasized finishing ongoing projects rather than starting fresh agendas, naming safer, more affordable housing and bolstering park infrastructure among her priorities. Francis also expressed support for collaboration with community groups, noting the momentum around the SLO Tenants Union and the need to translate that energy into durable tenant protections and housing stability.
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Who’s running
Three candidates are contesting the two open seats on Nov. 3: incumbent council members Emily Francis and Michelle Shoresman, and private chef Felicia Lewis. The outcome will determine the council’s balance on housing, public safety, and development matters.
| Candidate | Current role / background | Stated focus |
|---|---|---|
| Emily Francis | City council member; serving as vice mayor | Completion of housing and park projects; tenant stability |
| Michelle Shoresman | City council member (incumbent) | Reelection campaign; ongoing city priorities |
| Felicia Lewis | Private chef; first-time candidate | Brings a nontraditional perspective to council debates |
Voters face a new ballot rule
For the first of two trial election cycles, San Luis Obispo will use a single-vote system for this November’s city council race: each voter may select only one candidate, and the top two vote-getters will win the seats. Previously, electors could cast two votes, an arrangement that critics said favored coordinated support for incumbents.
Francis described the change as an experiment to determine whether the new method produces a more representative council. City officials and advocates will review results after this contest and again after the next election to judge whether the adjustment improves voter representation and candidate diversity.
The voting change raises practical implications for campaign strategy and turnout. With one vote per person, campaigns may target narrower constituencies and seek to mobilize supporters more precisely. Political analysts say the shift can increase the chance that an energized minority captures a seat, altering long-term council dynamics.
Voters who care about local housing policy, park projects, and how the city manages homelessness should watch candidate platforms closely over the coming months. November’s results will indicate whether SLO residents want continuity from current officeholders or a change in direction under the new voting format.
