Election 2024: Who’s running for Citrus Heights City Council?

Sentinel staff report–
Three candidates are officially running for the City Council District 1 seat, currently held by Mayor Bret Daniels. Daniels’ City Council term expires at the end of 2024. Daniels recently announced he will be resigning, as of Aug. 31.

Only Councilmember Tim Schaefer has officially filed to run for a second term for the District 3 seat. Schaefer is the incumbent for District 3, and his current four-year term expires at the end of 2024.

The three candidates who have filed papers for the City Council District 1 seat are Amie Burgundy Brown, Kelsey Nelson, and Andrew Saunders.

Amie Burgundy Brown: Grew up in South Lake Tahoe and has lived in Citrus Heights for four years. Brown currently owns M and A Landscaping Services, as well as a handmade jewelry business called Isabell Creations. Brown told The Sentinel this month that she previously operated a nonprofit while living in South Lake Tahoe and has experience working in community organizations.

Her social media profile shows that she founded the Tahoe Dream Foundation in 2012, which is described as a nonprofit organization supporting local childcare centers and providing clothing, shoes, and school supplies. Brown has also served as the Secretary and Chair of the International Goodwill and Understanding Committee for Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe and is a member of the Sacramento Tree Foundation.

Brown chose to run for the District 1 seat because she has been “looking for more ways to become involved in the local community.” A campaign statement for Brown does not appear on the city’s website, but her campaign page can be viewed on Facebook here. 

Andrew Saunders: Born in San Francisco and has lived in Citrus Heights since 2019. Saunders currently serves as a treasurer with CHANT Neighborhood Association Area 3 and works in telecommunications. Saunders received a Telecommunications Technology Certificate in 1987 from Skyline College. Saunders is also a member of the Lincoln Highway Association California Chapter and the Citrus Heights Historical Society.

Saunders told The Sentinel he is “very excited” for the opportunity to be involved in the community and that he brings “enthusiasm and a hard work ethic to this very important endeavor” of running for City Council. You can find his campaign statement here.

Kelsey Nelson: Nelson returned to live in Citrus Heights in 2019 and currently helps run a ceramics supply store. Nelson is part of the local Realtors association and is listed as President of CHANT Neighborhood Association Area 3. Nelson resides on the Citrus Heights Planning Commission and the San Juan School District Standards and Curriculum Committee, and is also a representative with REACH.

Nelson told The Sentinel last week she is running in order to “help guide our city’s steps” toward continuing to develop the city into a destination where people can “shop, work, and play.” You can find her campaign statement here.

Editor’s Note: The Sentinel will be continuing local election coverage leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024. Future articles will address each candidate’s position on various local issues.