Kimberley White
Mayor of Arcata | Record of Service & 2026 Re-Election
I am honored to serve as Arcata’s first Latina Mayor. I have called Arcata home for over 30 years and am a proud Valley West resident. My master’s degree in Sociology from Cal Poly Humboldt, combined with decades of community work, has shaped how I approach public service: listening to residents, building partnerships, and working for equity, justice, environmental stewardship, healthcare for all, and economic freedom. I also believe in making sure people who have too often been unheard have a voice at the table.
Experience in Local Government
My service to Arcata began with three years on the Planning Commission, where I gained firsthand experience with land use, zoning, housing, and development decisions that shape our city.
I was then elected to the Arcata City Council, where I have served as a Councilmember and currently have the honor of serving as Mayor. During my time on the Council, I have worked on issues affecting residents throughout Arcata, including housing, public safety, emergency preparedness, infrastructure, environmental protection, equity, community resilience, and responsible development.
I have also served in regional and local leadership roles, including as a City Council liaison to Cal Poly Humboldt and Equity Arcata and as a board member of both organizations. Through my regional appointments, including HCAOG and RREDC, I have worked on transportation, economic development, and regional collaboration.
I have also worked directly on housing and support for unhoused neighbors through the Arcata House Partnership and the Arcata Homeless Housing Working Group and through CUNA, Community United of North Arcata/Comunidad Unida del Norte de Arcata.
Equity and Inclusion
Equity has been a consistent part of my public service, not simply a stated value, but something I have tried to put into practice through my work in neighborhoods and with community organizations.
While I serve all of Arcata, as a Valley West resident, I have worked to bring attention, resources, programs, and opportunities to a neighborhood that has historically been underserved. I helped advocate for the Ambassador Program in Valley West, supported community improvements and recreational opportunities, started, implemented, and participated in Clean the Sidewalk events for years, and helped bring a community garden to the Valley West/North Arcata area, along with disaster preparedness efforts.
Through my work with Equity Arcata, CUNA, Comunidad Unida del Norte de Arcata/Community United of North Arcata, and other community partnerships, I have worked to ensure immigrant, LGBTQ+, and other historically underrepresented communities have a voice in decisions that affect them. I believe representation means more than having a seat at the table, it means listening to residents, building trust, and helping remove barriers to participation and access.
That approach is also reflected in my community work. Food access programs, free produce distributions, free cooking and nutrition classes, free exercise classes, lending libraries, community gardening, and disaster preparedness programs are all designed to make resources available to people who may otherwise have difficulty accessing them.
My commitment to equity also extends to emergency preparedness. Through the Resilience Hub and community preparedness work, I have helped expand access to disaster preparedness information, resources, and training. This includes bilingual disaster preparedness efforts and Stop the Bleed training, helping make potentially lifesaving information and skills accessible to residents who might otherwise face barriers to participating.
My commitment to equity also includes supporting unhoused neighbors through the Arcata House Partnership and the Arcata Homeless Housing Working Group. I believe every resident deserves dignity, a voice in their community, and a meaningful opportunity to thrive.
Delivering Results in Our Neighborhoods
I’ve delivered results that have made a tangible difference for Arcata residents. Among the work I have supported and been part of are: Carlson Park development ($2.4 million in improvements); Arcata’s first dog park; Response to the January fire; Emergency preparedness (Disaster Preparedness Block Party and CERT funding advocacy); The Ambassador Program in Valley West; A Resilience Hub in North Arcata; Community Garden in Valley West/North Arcata.
Expanding Access to Free Resources
A significant part of my community work has focused on making resources and opportunities available to residents regardless of income. That work has included: Community Clean the Sidewalk events; Food access programs; Free produce days; Free cooking and nutrition classes; Free exercise classes; Lending libraries for books and pickleball supplies; Community gardening; Disaster preparedness resources; Community-building and cultural programs; Upcoming Master Food Preserver programming.
Why I Am Asking for Your Vote
My record reflects years of service before and after being elected to the City Council. I bring three years experience from the Planning Commission, the City Council, regional partnerships, community organizations, various board positions and direct work with Arcata residents.
I am asking voters to look at that record and at the results of that work.
I want to continue serving all of Arcata with experience, dedication, and a commitment to our community’s future.
I have spent decades listening to Arcata residents, building partnerships, and turning community needs into action.
Arcata City Councilmember & Mayor
Arcata Planning Commissioner
Co-founder & Director, CUNA, Comunidad Unida del Norte de Arcata/Community United of North Arcata
Public Service & Disaster Preparedness
Regional & Community Leadership
Center for Applied Science and Education (CASAE)
Researcher
Healthy Start
Program Evaluator
Northcoast Tobacco Education Project
Program Coordinator
2022 – Present
2019 – 2022
2020 – Present
2020 – Current
HCAOG • RREDC • CALCOG • Equity Arcata