Bruce Gibson will not seek reelection after 20 years as SLO County supervisor
Bruce Gibson, the longtime supervisor for District 2 in San Luis Obispo County, announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection in 2026, ending a two-decade career on the board.
For nearly 20 years, Gibson has represented the Second District, stretching from the Monterey County line to the north to Morro Bay, Los Osos and parts of San Luis Obispo to the south, including the unincorporated communities of San Simeon, Harmony, Cayucos and Cambria.
“I’ve enjoyed the job of being a supervisor more than I can say,” Gibson told The Tribune. “It is tremendously rewarding work.”
Gibson told The Tribune he will not retire, but simply felt it was time to pass the torch.
“You may be curious about the ‘why’ of this decision. The short answer: ‘It’s time,’” Gibson said in the newsletter he sent out Thursday, noting he would have more to say about his decision in the coming months.
In the future, Gibson said he intends to keep focusing on specific public issues, including “the mess we call our national government,” but in a different role.
He told The Tribune he doesn’t envision running for another elected office at this time, but to “never say never.”
Bruce Gibson to step down after 20 years on Board of Supervisors
For now, Gibson wants to keeping focusing on the job he has — serving SLO County.
“My first priority is, and always has been, to forge solutions for local problems, and we’re dealing with several consequential issues here right now — homelessness, health care and water supply, among others,” Gibson said in the newsletter. ”Working with our state and federal representatives, I’m confident we can make significant progress on these in the next year and a half.”
“At the same time, we’re also seeing growing local and national outrage at the chaos, corruption and cruelty that continue to cascade from the Trump administration,” he continued, “I’m committed to supporting the growing effort to defeat this assault on our democracy, and have been buoyed by the energy and tenacity of the many SLO County residents I’ve encountered at local street rallies.”
He also made a call to “energize” the next leadership cycle in District 2.
“Your engagement in these local and national efforts is essential to the future of SLO County and our nation. That’s why it’s crucial for you to get involved in the local 2026 elections,” Gibson said in the newsletter.
“The contest to elect the next District 2 supervisor gives us a chance to elevate the values we’ve long held dear — support for every member of our community and protection of our incomparable environment — and an opportunity to voice our unwavering commitment to local democracy,” he said. “The voters in District 2 are smart, caring and devoted to those values. We’ll certainly demand that same devotion from any candidate seeking the District 2 seat. “
Gibson closed his message by thanking his “generous and steadfast” supporters:
“You’ve given me energy, purpose and hope, and I’m deeply grateful.”
Other SLO County Supervisors comment on Gibson’s goodbye
Gibson sits on the board with four other supervisors, some he’s worked with for many years, others for just a few months.
“I want to acknowledge Supervisor Gibson‘s years of service to San Luis Obispo County,” Supervisor Heather Moreno, the newest member to the board this year, told The Tribune. “While we have our differences in approach and perspective, I respect the commitment it takes to serve the public in this capacity. I wish him well in his next chapter.”
Supervisor Jimmy Pauling has been on the board since January of 2023, spending almost two and a half years working with Gibson.
“I deeply appreciate Supervisor Gibson’s many years of dedicated service to San Luis Obispo County and look forward to continuing our work together over the next year and a half,” Paulding told The Tribune. “Over the past few years, I’ve truly enjoyed collaborating with him. Bruce’s thoughtful, deliberate approach to decision-making and his unwavering commitment to good governance have rightfully earned him a reputation as a true public servant.”
Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg has spent more than four years on the board with Gibson.
“I always refer to Bruce as a senior statesman. He truly has a passion for this work and dedicated these years to really knowing every in and out of the county,” Ortiz-Legg said. “We’re going to miss his knowledge and expertise and know that he’s given a lot of good years of service.”
Supervisor John Peschong did not immediately respond to The Tribune’s request for comment.
This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 10:35 AM.
