City of Del Rey Oaks City Council Councilmember Scott Donaldson

Former Del Rey Oaks Councilmember Scott Donaldson has been elected as mayor, starting his two-year term on Dec. 13, 2022. The November race was tight, reminiscent of Donaldson’s 2020 run for council in the general election.

Donaldson notes that he is not aligned with any political party, billing himself as a moderate. “I believe in responsible development with maximum public input, fiscal responsibility and government transparency, and I’m an advocate for the Pure Water Monterey expansion project,” he wrote in his 2020 campaign ad.

An Army veteran, Donaldson has an engineering degree from West Point and an MBA from the University of San Francisco and is a five-year veteran on the Del Rey Oaks Planning Commission. Donaldson’s other civic engagements include his creation of the Oak Tree Replacement Program—which provides free oak trees to residents and led to nearly 130 trees being planted—the Citizens Action Group, Butterfly Garden Committee and Neighborhood Watch.

Notable quote: “I’m extremely grateful to all of those who supported me and I’m honored to represent and serve the citizens of Del Rey Oaks.” (Source: Monterey Herald)