Half Moon Bay Races

Results are a combination of data provided by the Associated Press (AP) and county election offices. The AP calls winners by analyzing vote tallies and other election data. Check marks are used to denote a winner only when the AP calls a race.

City Council, District 2

Top candidate wins seat.

Patric Bo Jonsson55.3%
549 votes
Harvey Rarback(incumbent)44.6%
443 votes
Updated at 7:21 PM PT on Nov 26, 2024
San Mateo County

City Council, District 3

Top candidate wins seat.

Paul Nagengast58.5%
777 votes
Joaquin Jimenez(incumbent)41.4%
551 votes
Updated at 7:21 PM PT on Nov 26, 2024
San Mateo County

Race to Watch

City Council, District 2

Top candidate wins seat.

Patric Bo Jonsson55.3%
549 votes
Harvey Rarback(incumbent)44.6%
443 votes
Updated at 7:21 PM PT on Nov 26, 2024
San Mateo County

Why does this race matter?

Half Moon Bay voters will weigh in on how to balance the need for housing development with the demand to preserve local charm, and how to resolve the city’s budget deficit.

What does a council member do?

City and town council members can propose new city ordinances and vote on a range of issues, including housing development, business ventures and contracts. They also help draft the city or town budget.

Key Candidates

This list represents the most notable candidates running for the seat.
Patric Bo Jonsson
Patric Bo JonssonBusinessman
Harvey Rarback
Harvey RarbackCity Council Member, Half Moon Bay

Key Supporters

This list represents notable organizations and individuals who have taken a position on the ballot measure or candidate, or who are funding campaigns in support or opposition. This list is not exhaustive, and may be updated.

For Jonsson

  • Alan Alifano, former mayor, Half Moon Bay
  • Marina Fraser, former mayor, Half Moon Bay
  • Naomi Patridge, former mayor, Half Moon Bay
  • John Muller, former mayor, Half Moon Bay

For Rarback

  • Robert Brownstone, City Council member, Half Moon Bay
  • Joaquin Jimenez, mayor, Half Moon Bay
  • Ray Mueller, supervisor, San Mateo County
  • Deborah Penrose, City Council member, Half Moon Bay
 

Positions on Key Issues
Candidate summaries are based on interviews with the candidates, questionnaires, statements made at debates and public events, and past news coverage.

What plans do you have to address the city’s $4 million deficit?

Jonsson says he wants to increase the volume of tourism to address the financial deficit. “People come here to enjoy and spend money — that’s what the town needs,” he says, noting that communication is key to redirect revenue back into the city.
Rarback says he is trying to fix the deficit on a short-term, medium-term and long-term basis. “The short-term basis is to raise our sales tax,” he says, noting that if November’s local sales tax measure passes, it would bring in about $2 million of the $4 million that the city needs.

What is your vision for downtown development and open space?

Jonsson touts his experience serving on the city’s Planning Commission. He says that while he supports some development, it's important that any new projects conform to the character and charm of the city. “All those buildings have historical value to them where they have the look and charm that's unique to our town,” he says.
Rarback wants to preserve as much open space as possible. “There’s no alternative but to go up — otherwise you’re gonna have sprawl,” he says, arguing that housing has to be provided for people who need it.

What is your view on local versus state authority on housing planning and development?

Jonsson says he opposes the city’s recent approval of an affordable housing project at 555 Kelly Avenue. “When you read more and more about 555 Kelly and the way our state’s pushing this project with the mandates — it’s kind of crazy,” he says. He thinks that if the city is going to greenlight additional housing, it needs to first solicit more local input to make sure residents are on board with it.
Rarback says he is set on building more low-income housing. “Affordable housing has a legal meaning and it’s not really affordable to a lot of people,” he says.

Race to Watch

City Council, District 3

Top candidate wins seat.

Paul Nagengast58.5%
777 votes
Joaquin Jimenez(incumbent)41.4%
551 votes
Updated at 7:21 PM PT on Nov 26, 2024
San Mateo County

Why does this race matter?

The race comes after the City Council recently approved an affordable housing development for farmworkers at 555 Kelly Avenue. The project sparked a debate about local control over land use and new housing development.

What does a council member do?

City and town council members can propose new city ordinances and vote on a range of issues, including housing development, business ventures and contracts. They also help draft the city or town budget.

Key Candidates

This list represents the most notable candidates running for the seat.
Joaquin Jimenez
Joaquin JimenezMayor, Half Moon Bay
Paul Nagengast
Paul NagengastCivil Engineer

Key Supporters

This list represents notable organizations and individuals who have taken a position on the ballot measure or candidate, or who are funding campaigns in support or opposition. This list is not exhaustive, and may be updated.

For Jimenez

  • Josh Becker, state senator 
  • Marc Berman, state Assembly member
  • Cristina Corpus, sheriff, San Mateo County 
  • Anna Eshoo, U.S. representative

For Nagengast

  • N/A
 

Positions on Key Issues
Candidate summaries are based on interviews with the candidates, questionnaires, statements made at debates and public events, and past news coverage.

What is your vision for housing in the city?

Jimenez says he originally got involved with the City Council because of the need for housing. “Right now, the most important thing is the low-income housing for a community that is being displaced, that live in crowded homes,” says Jimenez, the son of retired farmworkers, and the city’s first Mexican immigrant mayor. He says he backed the 555 Kelly Avenue and 880 Stone Pine Cove affordable housing projects.
Nagengast says that local control over the city’s development decisions is important to him. “I’m not saying we’re going to ignore state or federal law but rather, how can we work together?” Nagengast says. He wants city leaders to stay up-to-date on changes to state housing laws, in order to keep residents informed.

What is your experience addressing the needs of Half Moon Bay residents?

Jimenez touts his work advocating for the Yanira Serrano Presente! Program, which aims to reform how law enforcement engages with people suffering from mental illness. “The city created an opportunity to have a response team for mental crises — that’s where the CARES program comes from,” he says.
Nagengast says he’s been a resident on the coast for over 20 years, and has worked for the city in various capacities, including as deputy city manager. In that position, “I analyzed, prioritized, and resolved current Half Moon Bay issues as quickly as possible, without compromising long-term solutions,” he says. In light of the city’s current $4 million deficit, some type of oversight may be needed to ensure that funds are being appropriately allocated.

What is your vision for community safety?

Jimenez points to the success of a community barbecue organized by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, during which community members can meet and chat with sheriff’s deputies. “I want to continue that,” he says, noting that he supports both the Sheriff's Department and the Independent Civilian Advisory Commission that monitors it.
Nagengast touts the work he’s done to improve Highway 1. “The way we used to design things to get in and out, our philosophy has changed — safety is number one,” he says, noting that pedestrian and cyclist safety are now given much greater consideration in engineering plans.

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