Elect Bobby Richards for Carmel City Council 2026

The trees in Carmel-by-the-Sea have growth rings. So do people. Mine began as a teenager, competing against Carmel High while attending Pacific Grove High. Years later, I was fortunate to become an engaged resident and business owner in Carmel-by-the-Sea. I then served on the Board of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce, appointed to the activity and cultural commission, elected to the City Council from 2016 to 2024, and have served on the Board of the Carmel Residents Association.

Those growth rings aren’t about time served; they are about lessons learned, perspectives gained, and the remarkable people who have shaped my life. Residents, business owners, city staff, former mayors, council members, family and friends have all made me a better listener, a more thoughtful leader, and a stronger advocate for our village.

I stepped away from public service due to a brief health challenge. Now fully recovered and ready to serve once again. As Carmel-by-the-Sea faces important decisions about its future, I hope to bring those growth rings of experience, perspective, and a collaborative spirit back to the Council.

It would be an honor to once again earn your trust and serve the community that has given me so much.

(Photo of Bobby judging a Sand Castle Building Contest on Carmel Beach.)