I’m Cara Stewart, and I’m running for Costa Mesa City Council, District 3.
I’m your neighbor in Mesa Del Mar, a civic leader, a third-generation small-business owner, and someone who has spent her career bringing people together to get things done.
I was raised by my Italian immigrant grandmother, who taught me the value of hard work, service, and giving back. These lessons have shaped how I lead and how I show up in my community.
And if you spend any time at TeWinkle Park, you might know me as Ollie the rescue dog’s mom. He says hi.
I’m running for City Council because Costa Mesa works best when people are connected—when neighbors are heard, businesses are supported, and City Hall is responsive and accountable. My focus is on listening closely, connecting the right people, and turning collaboration into real results for our neighborhoods.
For every resident. Every business. Every family.
From Listening to Action
When I talk with neighbors across District 3, I hear the same things again and again. They’re not abstract. They’re about daily life.
Rising rents and everyday costs are making it harder to stay. Traffic, parking, and noise affect how neighborhoods feel every day. Budgets need to reflect real priorities. Local businesses want a fair shot to open, grow, and succeed. People want to know the city will respond when help is needed. And parks, libraries, and shared spaces matter because that’s where community happens.
These are everyday life issues here in District 3, and they’ve shaped my beliefs:
You shouldn’t have to move away to move forward.
If it affects your streets, your sleep, or your safety, it matters.
Good budgets fund today without breaking the bank tomorrow.
Being "open for business" opens the door to Costa Mesa's success.
Public safety means knowing our city has your back—and your neighbor's
Investing in shared places is investing in our shared future.
District 3: Where Community Shows Up
From our neighborhoods and schools to small businesses and shared spaces, this is where Costa Mesa life really happens.
I may be biased, but District 3 is one of the most vibrant parts of Costa Mesa. It’s where neighbors know each other, families grow, local businesses buzz, and everyday community life really happens.
District 3 stretches across eastern and central Costa Mesa—from Mesa Drive and Orange Avenue down to 22nd Street, looping west and north along the 55, Harbor Boulevard, and Fairview Road. It connects neighborhoods near Adams Avenue and Merrimac Way, then follows the Paularino Channel and the 73 back toward the east.
Whether you’ve lived here forever or are new to the neighborhood, District 3 is a place people are proud to call home, and where we look out for one another.
