Primary Election · June 2, 2026 · San Diego City Council, District 2
Volunteer
Sandra Kay San Diego City Council · District 2 · June 2026

Your Neighbor
on the Council

An Ocean Beach resident who will listen first, act second, and always put our community over politics.

Ocean Beach Resident Independent Solutions Consultant Your Neighbor
See My Priorities Get in Touch
Sandra Kay

Sandra Kay

Candidate, District 2
Ocean Beach resident
Attorney (J.D.)
15+ years legal experience
Hi, I'm Sandra!

I'm running for San Diego City Council, District 2 because I believe our community deserves better. I'm your neighbor in Ocean Beach, and like many of you, I've watched our city's priorities drift further from what actually matters to residents.

My background is in law and financial analysis. I earned my J.D. from Florida International University, where I founded the Business Law Society and served as Vice President of the Student Bar Association. I've spent over 15 years helping organizations simplify operations, grow revenue, and build foundations for success.

But here's what really drove me to run: our Ocean Beach Pier sits closed while the city manages a $6.1 billion budget. How does that happen? I dug into the numbers and found patterns of inefficiency and mismanagement that explain a lot.

I'm not a career politician. I'm a neighbor who got frustrated enough to do something about it. I believe in going to constituents rather than waiting for them to come to me. I believe in removing the restrictive policies that block community initiatives. And I believe we can shift from a government of "No"s to one that embraces community participation.

I'm running as an independent because I want to serve you, not a party.

Hi, I'm Sandra!

I'm running for San Diego City Council, District 2 because I believe our community deserves better. I'm your neighbor in Ocean Beach, and like many of you, I've watched our city's priorities drift further from what actually matters to residents.

But here's what really drove me to run: our Ocean Beach Pier sits closed while the city manages a $6.1 billion budget. How does that happen? I dug into the numbers and found patterns of inefficiency and mismanagement that explain a lot.

I'm not a career politician. I'm a neighbor who got frustrated enough to do something about it. I believe in removing the restrictive policies that block community initiatives, and shifting from a government of "No"s to one that embraces community participation.

I'm running as an independent because I want to serve you, not a party.

Sandra Kay

Sandra Kay

Candidate, District 2
Ocean Beach resident
Attorney (J.D.)
15+ years legal experience

Policy Proposals

Practical, immediate actions that make District 2 easier to live in and easier to build community in.

1. Community ActivationMake it easier for people to gather, organize, and build culture.

Actions Sandra Could Take Immediately

  1. Fast-Track Community Event Permits (Pilot Program)
    • Introduce a motion to create a District 2 pilot for simplified permits for block parties, art events, beach cleanups, and pop-ups
    • Fewer departments involved
    • Clear timelines (e.g., 10 business days max)
    • Work with the Development Services Department + Parks & Recreation
    Why this matters: Shows she understands that “rules stacked on rules” kill community energy.
  2. District 2 Community Micro-Grants
    • Propose reallocating a small portion of discretionary funds
    • $500–$2,500 grants for neighborhood organizers, mutual aid groups, and cultural events
    • Community-reviewed, low paperwork
    Why this matters: Signals trust in residents, not top-down control.
  3. OB-First Community Advisory Circles
    • Create rotating, issue-specific advisory groups (small business owners, renters, artists & cultural workers, youth & students)
    • Not permanent commissions—active listening circles
    Why this matters: Democratizes input without bureaucracy.
2. Proactive ListeningGovernment should go to the people, not the other way around.

Actions Sandra Could Take Immediately

  1. Monthly “Office Hours in the Wild”
    • Hold office hours at parks, beaches, farmers markets, and libraries
    • Rotate neighborhoods in District 2
    • No appointment required
    Why this matters: Breaks the psychological barrier between residents and City Hall.
  2. District-Wide Communication Reset
    • Launch a simple monthly District 2 email update
    • Clear instructions on how to reach her office
    • Plain language—no bureaucratic jargon
    Why this matters: Counters the “I don’t even know who my councilmember is” problem.
  3. Constituent Feedback Loop
    • After major votes or initiatives, publish a short explanation: what she voted, why, and what she heard from residents
    • Invite response
    Why this matters: Builds trust even when people disagree.
3. Financial SustainabilityFix waste and mismanagement before squeezing residents.

Actions Sandra Could Take Immediately

  1. Fee & Fine Impact Review
    • Request a formal review of parking fees, code enforcement fines, and permit costs
    • Focus on how these disproportionately affect working residents and small businesses
    Why this matters: Turns the “nickel-and-dimed” critique into a policy process.
  2. OB Pier Financial Transparency Push
    • Demand a public breakdown of why funding was available for other projects but not the pier
    • Clarify what funds could legally be redirected
    • Push for a clear rebuild timeline and funding strategy
    Why this matters: Anchors her campaign symbol to action.
  3. Independent Budget Accountability Request
    • Advocate for independent audits of specific city departments or programs
    • Support performance-based budgeting (fund what works, cut what doesn’t)
    Why this matters: Shows seriousness without promising unrealistic savings.

Listen First

I'll come to you — town halls, coffee shops, your front porch. Not waiting for you to navigate bureaucracy.

Upcoming Events
Wed25
Not Not Political Campaign Launch Rally - FEB 25
The Template Ocean Beach · February 25th - 7pm-11pm
Tues2
Primary Election Day - JUN 2
District 2 · June 2nd - 7am-8pm

Community Activation

Remove restrictive city policies. Empower local organizers. Say "Yes" to neighbors who want to help.

Blocked
Approved

From government of "No"s to community partnership

Financial Sustainability

I've analyzed the city's budget and found patterns of waste. I'll bring that same scrutiny to every decision.

$0.00B
City Budget
Where is the money actually going?

The Pier Should Be Open

While the city sits on a $6.1 billion budget, our pier crumbles. It's the symbol of misplaced priorities.

Closed sinceOctober 2023
Cost to replace$170-190M
Actually allocated$8.4M
Earliest reopening
2032
6+ more years of waiting
I'll demand answers every council meeting until we have real funding.

Your Independent Voice

No party machine. No developer money. Just your neighbor who got fed up with the same things you did.

Career Politicians
Sandra Kay
✕Wait for you to come to them
✓Comes to you
✕Take developer money
✓No special interest money
✕Party-line voting
✓Independent judgment
✕Live somewhere else
✓Lives in Ocean Beach
Accountable every day — you know where I live

Tell Me How I Can Serve You

I'm not here to tell you what you need. I'm here to listen.
What issues matter most to you?