Politics & Government

Strawbridge Announces Bid for Benicia City Council

Downtown business owner and Economic Development Board chairwoman cites 23 years of experience promoting Benicia.

In a press release sent out Sunday evening, Christina Strawbridge, chairwoman of the Economic Development Board and owner of , a clothing boutique in downtown, announced that she will run for the Benicia City Council in November.  

She has been on the Economic Development Board since 2006 and was elected chairperson in 2010. 

Strawbridge, who has been considering a run for council for some time, said the decision by City Councilman did not influence her decision. She said she would have run even if were seeking a second term.

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Asked about the biggest issues facing the city,  Strawbridge noted the ongoing budget problems. Her solution is to focus on economic development. “Benicia has lots of potential,” she said.

Rather than and , Strawbridge said the city’s economic woes should be solved by bringing new businesses to town that will increase tax revenues and pay fees that go into the city’s coffers.

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She said she wants to create a better business environment, adding that “City Manager Brad Kilger is on the right track and I’m also impressed by the work of acting Economic Development Director Mario Giuliani.”

Strawbridge said that she is aware that most of the city's tax revenue comes from the Benicia Industrial Park but acknowledged there are challenges to getting new business to locate there because of  infrastructure issues.

“One thing I really want to get is ,” she said. “I want to take a look at . Until we bring the industrial park up to current standards, it will be challenging to get new businesses to come in.”

Strawbridge said she doesn’t have an official list of endorsements but has called and Councilmen and .  “Tomorrow is my phone-call day to rally the troops.”

She said she probably will adopt the city’s voluntary spending limit, but wants to study it before committing.  The current limit is $28,000 and Strawbridge indicated she thought a campaign could be run for less.

She hasn’t set a date for her first fund-raising event but said, “It will happen in late July or early August.”

“I think that’s going to have to be our target to get our message out early,” said Strawbridge, acknowledging that more than 50 percent of voters cast absentee ballots.

“I’ve got name recognition and I’ve been involved in the city for 25 years,” said Strawbridge.  “I think I’m going to try and build on that recognition.”

Her husband, Scott Strawbridge, who ran for City Council four years ago, will manage her campaign. “I’ll also be getting assistance from Jeanne Steinmann,” said Strawbridge.  Steinmann is publisher of Benicia Magazine

Steinmann clarified that the assistance she would give Strawbridge is the same type marketing advice she would offer any candidate and that she has no official role in the campaign.

“My background is marketing so I’ll be pretty hands-on,” said Strawbridge.  “I plan to use social media a lot.”

Strawbridge said she plans to start walking precincts sooner rather than later.  “Downtown is a good place for me to start.”

Asked if she anticipates receiving support from the downtown business community, Strawbidge answered,  “I hope so.”


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