CARLSBAD — A new candidate has emerged in the race for the District 4 seat on the Carlsbad City Council.
Maria Teresa Acosta, 40, announced her candidacy last week and joins Phil Urbina in the race for the new seat. So far, Acosta, who goes by Teresa, and Urbina are the only two candidates to announce their intentions for District 4; although the election is in November 2020 so more may come forward.
Councilman Keith Blackburn has also announced his re-election bid for District 2.
Acosta is an eight-year resident who said she wants to maintain the quality of life. She said issues specific to District 4 she is focused on are infrastructure, public safety, small business and the environment. These same issues are what Acosta said she will focus on citywide.
In addition, she said the La Costa area feels disconnected from the city and she wants to re-engage those residents with the rest of the city.
“I am confident I will be an excellent representative for District 4 and the city as a whole,” Acosta said. “Not only do I have the leadership skills and experience needed to be a highly effective council member, but I am in this for the right reason: to contribute in a positive way to the community I love.”
She also owns a business consulting firm, Acosta + Partners, which develops public-private partnerships across the state.
Acosta earned her bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Southern California and has a master’s in business administration from Pepperdine University. Previously to her consulting work, Acosta worked at a software firm, the California League of Cities and the state senate.
She was a regional public affairs manager for the League of Cities and for seven years was a field representative and intern director for former state senator Jack Scott.
Acosta is also an active member in the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, chairing the Technology Advisory and co-chair of the Government Affairs committees. She is also a graduate of the Carlsbad Leadership Academy, HOPE Leadership Institute, Center for Creative Leadership Latina Leaders Program and San Diego County Water Authority Academy.
Acosta has also picked up endorsements from State Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath and Carlsbad Councilwoman Cori Schumacher.
District 2 and 4 are new seats as the city moved to district elections last year. Only the mayor is a citywide race.
Currently, Blackburn and Schumacher serve as at-large candidates. Blackburn lives in District 2, while Schumacher lives in District 1. The district map was created two years ago and establishes the boundaries for each of the four districts.
