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Two candidates present contrasting approaches as Seaside prepares to appoint Ward 4 councilor
Summary
Two candidates for Seaside’s Ward 4 seat outlined qualifications and priorities at a public forum; the City Council will interview and vote next Monday to appoint a replacement for David Posalski, and the seat will be on the ballot in November 2026.
Seaside Mayor Steve Wright opened an informational forum Thursday night where two candidates, Mister Ansbro and Mister Craft, answered pre-submitted questions about their qualifications and priorities to fill the Ward 4 seat vacated by David Posalski.
The candidates spoke about housing availability, emergency and tsunami preparedness, infrastructure needs, and balancing tourism with residents’ quality of life. The council will interview both candidates during its regular meeting next Monday and then vote; the appointment will be effective for the remainder of 2026, the seat will be open to any qualified candidate in the November 2026 general election, and it will revert to the regular four-year rotation in the November 2028 election.
Mister Ansbro, who described himself as a PMP-certified project manager, U.S. Navy veteran and longtime nonprofit volunteer, framed his candidacy around stewardship and listening to residents. "This community comes first," he said, and listed priorities including housing availability and livability, tsunami preparedness, and ensuring tourism supports — rather than overwhelms — the community.
Mister Craft, who described an 18-year career in hospitality and current service on Seaside's planning commission, emphasized that his work has taught him to listen to residents and troubleshoot practical problems. "I see the city as a giant hotel," Craft said, arguing that service-oriented management and communication skills prepare him for council work.
On how they would handle a council decision they opposed, both candidates stressed professionalism and making their positions clear on the record. Craft said he would make his case with facts, be heard and then "roll with it" while observing outcomes; Ansbro said he would ask clarifying questions, propose alternatives where appropriate and continue to work constructively after a decision.
Both candidates described past experience building consensus. Ansbro cited project-management and nonprofit roles that required listening and clarifying shared goals; Craft recounted coordinating hotel and restaurant operators during the 2020 COVID shutdown, compiling varying guidance from multiple jurisdictions and presenting a company standard for reopening.
Mayor Wright closed the official portion of the forum and urged residents to submit comments via printed forms at the meeting or online (including a QR code) by Monday at noon for council consideration ahead of next week's interviews and vote. Audience members were invited to meet the candidates informally after the forum.
The council meeting with candidate interviews and the formal vote is scheduled for next Monday; the public comment deadline for that meeting is Monday at noon according to the forum announcement.
