Steve Martin headed to victory in Paso Robles mayor race
Incumbent Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin appears poised to win reelection over challenger Michael Rivera.
As of 1 a.m. Wednesday with all precincts reporting, Martin’s lead had narrowed a bit but still stood at 56.8% of the vote to Rivera’s 43.1%.
Martin told the Tribune Wednesday that he wants to make sure all the votes are counted and confirmed in the final report before declaring victory.
“I am feeling very optimistic and appreciative and all the people that worked very hard for me this time,” Martin said of his campaign staff. “I can’t thank them enough for the effort they put in on my behalf.”
Incumbent urged Paso Robles voters and politicians to unite over shared goals
Martin said he hopes everyone who was involved in Paso Robles politics can come together to achieve some of the common goals for the city that were expressed during the campaign.
“We all emphasized public safety. We all emphasized street repairs, homelessness services and economic development,” he said. “I’m really hopeful that we can all come together and work together to make those things work well for everyone.”
When it comes to addressing homelessness in both the North County and all of San Luis Obispo County, Martin said he has been speaking with the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors about improving services that address some of the root causes of homelessness, such as severe mental illness and substance use disorder and addiction.
Another key priority is strengthening economic development in Paso Robles by hopefully building a strong technology corridor and spaceport and also looking at the role of the cannabis industry in the city.
“I think we’re going to have a full plate in the next few years,” Martin said.
Steve Martin will be serving fourth term as Paso Robles mayor if reelected
Martin was elected mayor of Paso Robles in 1988 and served for one two-year term before being reelected in 2014 and 2018 for two four-year terms.
WIth a win this year, the incumbent will be serving his fourth term as mayor in a two-year post.
“I want to reemphasize that I do listen to the public,” Martin said. “I answer every email, phone call, letter, try to meet with people one-on-one and try to incorporate everyone’s effort and excitement into the solution.”
Rivera, a medical industry businessman, is running for mayor on a platform focused on public safety, budget oversight, infrastructure improvements and finding a solution to homelessness, according to his website.
Rivera is opposed to the expansion of the retail cannabis industry in Paso Robles and increased sales tax.
Incumbent Paso Robles Council City member John Hamon ran unopposed for his District 1 seat, while Chris Bausch, who was appointed to represent District 2 on the council after the departure of Maria Garcia in August also was without a challenger.
Measure F-22 would raise city’s bed tax
In addition to the council seats, Paso Robles voters are deciding whether to approve Measure F-22, which would increase the transient occupancy tax or bed tax in Paso Robles from 10% to 11%.
As of 1 a.m. Wednesday with all precincts reporting, 58.5% of voters approved the tax increase that would mostly impact visitors to Paso Robles, with 41.5% voting against the measure.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 8:18 PM.
