Election 2022: Who’s running for Citrus Heights City Council?

Sentinel staff report–
A total of nine residents are running for three seats up for election this year on the five-member Citrus Heights City Council — and at least two new faces will join the council, due to a pair of current members retiring.

Council districts 2, 4 and 5 are all up for election, with only District 5 having a current council member vying for the seat: Porsche Middleton. Council members Jeannie Bruins and Steve Miller are both not on the ballot, leaving the District 2 and District 4 seats up for a newcomer to join the council.

The Sentinel asked each candidate to submit a 100-word biographical statement, which is included word-for-word below, unless edited due to excessive length. Their statements and campaign websites are provided below.

District 2 Race:

Steven Durham. “I will turn 76 by Election Day. I grew up in Massapequa, NY, but most of my adult life, I’ve lived in California. My wife, Sharon and I retired to Citrus Heights in 2017, after 30 years in Orange County. I have 3 degrees: BA in Geology (Hofstra, 1970), MA in Urban Geography (South Carolina, 1972) and MBA in Marketing (Harvard Business School, 1975). (George W. Bush was a Harvard classmate!). My 40-year business career includes Marketing (General Mills), VP Advertising, Sr. VP Mergers & Acquisitions, Sr. VP Sales for a Television network, and COO for a 1,000-person tech support company.”
Website: not submitted.
Full candidate profile: Meet Steven Durham

MariJane Lopez-Taff. “MariJane Lopez-Taff (aka Jane Taff) is a 49-year-old San Francisco native who discovered Citrus Heights while looking for a safe community to move to with her then fiancé in 2000.  Jane is a Certified Professional Life Coach serving business owners in the areas of Leadership, Management and Communication since 2011. Her professional career in non-profit fundraising and volunteer management began at the age of 17 and she has been involved in both paid and volunteer community organizations since such as the Citrus Heights Chamber, ABBA, Women’s Club and Soroptimists. Jane supports a thriving Citrus Heights community – safe streets, economic growth, and fiscal responsibility.”
Website: voteforjane.com
Full candidate profile: Meet MariJane Lopez-Taff

Michael Nishimura. “I have lived in the City of Citrus Heights for forty years. Currently, I sit on the City’s Planning Commission, I am the President of the Resident’s Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights
(REACH), I am on the Board of Citrus Heights Areas Seven, Eight, Nine (CHASEN), I am a volunteer Wrestling Coach at Bella Vista High School, and I am active with Citrus Heights HART acting as coordinator for one week of its Winter Sanctuary. I sat on the Board of the Sunrise Marketplace PBID for 12 years while I was the General Manager of the Elephant Bar Restaurant…”
Website: michaelnishimura.com
Full candidate profile: Meet Michael Nishimura
*Editor’s note: Nishimura did not submit a bio statement by deadline. However, in the interest of informing residents, his statement above is taken from his official ballot statement and shortened due to length.

James Tipton. “My name is James J. Tipton, I am a 28 year old Native American from the Wiyot tribe in Loleta, California. I am a Christian conservative and I do not stray from my beliefs to obtain votes. I grew up in Sacramento County, in a middle class household. I have worked extensively in both legal and government fields. I am a local business owner and second amendment advocate. I support our law enforcement and would like to see an increase in police funding. I am community focused and accountable to my constituency.”
Website: None currently
Full candidate profile: *Did not submit response.

District 4 Race:

Albert Fox. “Retired law enforcement and 21-year resident. Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration. College Director of Criminal Justice. Graduate of Citrus Heights Leadership Academy, the Law Enforcement Citizens Advisory Committee; member and chairman of the Planning Commission and appointed City Council member. During COVID I coordinated a charitable effort in support of 12 local schools to improve distant learning for students and families through our Impact Campaign. Our campaign supplied equipment, headphones, e-tablets, gift cards and supplies. to the Elementary, Middle and High Schools. I look forward to serving Citrus Heights District 4.”
Website: ajfox.org
Full candidate profile: Meet Albert Fox

Jayna Karpinski-Costa. 31 years in Citrus Heights, married to Ted Costa, no children, lots of critters. Professional: Veterinarian and attorney. Education: B.S., Colorado State University, Microbiology, cum laude 1974. D.V.M., Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine, 1980. J.D. University of Santa Clara School of Law, 1986. Leadership Experience: Elected to Citrus Heights city council in 2004 and 2008, served as Mayor in 2011; served on several regional boards during this time. Since 1998, served as president of Sylvan Old Auburn Road Neighborhood (Area 10). Represented People’s Advocate in the US Supreme Court to defend Prop 13.
Website: www.drjayna.com
Full candidate profile: Meet Jayna Karpinski-Costa

Manuel Israel Perez-Salazar. “My name is Manuel Perez. I am 40 years old, married for 21 years and have 3 kids. I have lived in Citrus Heights for the last 20 years.  I grew up in Sacramento and moved here when I met my wife. I have been a Class A driver for 19 years, I attended ARC for EMT, I  have been a volunteer at the Marysville PD since 2018, also completed the Citizens Academy, I was also on the Construction Board of Appeals for Citrus Heights.  When you see me around please say hello, I look forward to getting to know everyone.”
Website: none currently.
Full candidate profile: Meet Manuel Salazar

District 5 Race:

Porsche Middleton. “Growing up the middle child of nine and traveling all over the United States, my roots in service to others began in childhood. My family has served our country for several generations, including my late father, SGM Rayford. My husband of nearly 15 years and I have called Citrus Heights home for seven years, raising two boys who attend schools in our city. For the last four years, I have served as a councilmember and Mayor of our city, proudly earning my master’s degree while educating my two boys at home during one of the most challenging times in recent history.”
Website: www.porschemiddleton.com
Full candidate profile: Meet Porsche Middleton

Natalee Price. “As a mother, I am committed to giving Citrus Heights a safe, sustainable future with improved quality of life for its residents. A 7-year member of Lions Club International and a 10-year resident of Citrus Heights with a BA in Cultural Anthropology. Since 2008, my local restaurant, Taste of Tuscany, has been a community resource. Securing partnerships during COVID-19, I co-designed and implemented a community grocery program feeding over 10,000 people and earning a 2020 ‘Kindness Matters’ service award, one of 20 given globally. With proven management and leadership qualities, a vote for Natalee Price is right for Citrus Heights.”
Website: www.nataleepriceforcitycouncil.com
Full candidate profile: Meet Natalee Price

The Sentinel will be continuing local election coverage over the next two months leading up to Election Day on Nov. 8, 2022. Future articles will address each candidate’s position on various local issues.

See all candidate answers to three top local issues:

• Roads/taxes. Where do Citrus Heights council candidates stand on Measure A, road funding?
• Crime/Safety. Here’s what Citrus Heights candidates say about crime, public safety
• Homelessness. Here’s what Citrus Heights candidates say about addressing homelessness

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