City of Capitola City Council Councilmember Kristen Brown

Fourth-generation Capitola resident Kristen Brown (formerly Kristen Petersen) enters her second term intent on seeing completion of the new Capitola Library, excited to to have “this really amazing space where you can get a library book from our new state-of-the-art library, and go right across the street to this historic park area,” she told Good Times. The top vote-getter in the 2016 council election, Peterson successfully ran for reelection in 2020.

First elected: Nov. 6, 2016

Alma maters: California State University, Northridge (master’s degree in public sector management and leadership); California State University, Monterey Bay (bachelor’s degree in political communication)

Former positions include Mayor of Capitola (2020), Capitola Public Safety and Community Service Foundation board member (2016-2019), Women’s Conference host committee member (2018-2019), Legislative Conference Planning Committee (2018-2019), Capitola Historical Museum Board of Trustees (2014-2016)

Committee, board and commission appointments: Santa Cruz County Library Financing Authority, Criminal Justice Council, Santa Cruz County Flood Control & Water District (alternate)

Notable quote: “We are living in highly unusual times and the uncertainty we face can sometimes feel daunting. But despite this, let us remember that we are all in this together and we will all get through this together. (Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel)