Hosted By The South County EDC
CANDIDATE FORUM SERIES 2026
Wednesdays This Fall | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Via Zoom
Wednesdays This Fall | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Via Zoom
South County EDC’s 2026 Candidate Forum Series will bring together
community leaders, business owners, and residents for an opportunity
to hear directly from candidates seeking to represent our region.
As a nonpartisan organization, South County EDC does not endorse
political candidates. Our goal is to provide a thoughtful forum where
candidates can share their priorities, discuss issues affecting South
County, and offer their perspectives on the region’s economic growth,
workforce, infrastructure, and overall quality of life.
We invite you and your organization to support this important civic
conversation through sponsorship. Your partnership helps make these
discussions accessible to the community while encouraging greater
awareness, participation, and informed decision-making.
Together, we can help strengthen civic engagement and support a more
informed future for South County.
Wednesdays This Fall | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Via Zoom
Candidate Forum Series Session
Imperial Beach
Candidate for Mayor
Karl Bradley is a career public servant who grew up in the South Bay and has called Imperial Beach home for 14 years.
Bio
National City
Candidate for Mayor
"I am running for mayor because we deserve a brighter future. I believe we can live in a more vibrant, family-oriented community; where our city works on behalf of its residents and prioritizes your well-being above everything else."
BioCandidate Forum Series Session
South San Diego County
Candidate for U.S. Representative, 52nd District
Jeff Belle is a candidate for Congress in California’s 52nd Congressional District, bringing more than a decade of experience in business, education, health policy, and public service to his campaign.
Bio
San Diego
Candidate for District 2 Council Member
Nicole Crosby is a working mom, Deputy City Attorney, and proud Clairemont resident, running to represent her neighbors in San Diego City Council District 2.
BioCandidate Forum Series Session
National City
Candidate for District 1 Council Member
Luz Molina is the City Council representative for District 1. District 1 encompasses the Westside, Old Town National City, and the portside communities.
Bio
Otay Water District
Candidate for Division No. 1
Rivera, a licensed civil engineer and traffic engineer, brings more than three decades of public-sector engineering, transportation, and infrastructure leadership to the Otay Water District.
BioCandidate Forum Series Session
Imperial Beach
Candidate for District 3 Council Member
Born and raised in Imperial Beach, this is the place Councilmember Mariko Nakawatase has always called home.
Bio
San Diego County
Candidate for San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector
Shirley Nakawatase has spent more than 40 years serving San Diegans as a Certified Public Accountant and small business owner.
Bio
* Recognition as title sponsor
* Opportunity to introduce candidates or make closing remarks
* Inclusion in pre/post event eblast
* 30-second spot during forum
* Premium logo placement on event site with other sponsors during
forum(s)
* Social media post about event with company logo.
* Recognition as select sponsor
* Opportunity to introduce candidates
* Inclusion in pre/post event eblast
* 30-second spot during forum
* Prominent logo placement during forum
* Social media post about event with company logo.
* 15-second spot during forum
* Logo placement during forum
* Social media post about event with company logo
To sponsor or inquire about how to get involved with the South County
EDC please fill out the form below.
You can also contact Jim O’Callaghan at 619.424.5143 or email jim@southcountyedc.com
710 E. 16th St
#472
National City , CA 91951
P: (619) 424-5143
Email: SCEDC@SouthCountyEDC.com
October 7 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Via Zoom
October 14 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Via Zoom
October 21 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Via Zoom
October 28 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Via Zoom