SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – With Election Day less than a week away, South Lake Tahoe voters are being asked to select three candidates to represent them on the City Council. With 13 candidates vying for the seats, the Tahoe Daily Tribune has put together a comprehensive guide to help voters get to know each candidate, understand their priorities and make informed decisions at the ballot box.
HEATHER HORGAN
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Education and Qualifications: I have been honored to serve as your City Councilmember since my appointment to the vacant seat. Over the past year, I have worked to understand the complex issues facing South Lake Tahoe, build relationships with city staff, and hear from residents, businesses, and community stakeholders. My husband and I are proud to be raising our family in South Lake Tahoe and are deeply invested in preserving the place our children call home. For more than 25 years I have served as a Registered Nurse, caring for people during life’s most challenging moments. Learn more about Heather Horgan
AIMI XISTRA
Occupation: Director Of Development
Education and Qualifications: I spent over a decade at Heavenly, first on their marketing team as public relations. In this role I hosted journalists and VIPs from all over the world and introduced them to our beautiful Tahoe. Due to those successes, I was then promoted to Executive Director at the Heavenly Ski and Snowboard Foundation where I tripled the amount of Tahoe youth who had affordable access to skiing and snowboarding through development programs and the STMS Blue Angels program to operate alongside the competitive programs, and fundraisers like the Grapes and Gates, the Kindercup and the Groover’s Challenge. In 2022 I joined the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe as Development Director because I’m passionate about fundraising for our community youth. I currently serve on these community commissions and boards: Arts, Culture and Tourism Commission, the Embarc Advisory Board, the Multicultural Celebration Committee and the Reno Brewery District Board of Directors. Learn more about Aimi Xistra
DOUGLAS WILLIAMS
Occupation: Business Owner
Education and Qualifications: I’m Douglas Williams. I will preserve our mountain way of life and build a safer, more affordable future for local families. I am bringing community service and experience: four years on the Planning Commission, eight years volunteering locally, and service on the board of the Christmas Cheer Food Pantry. Learn more about Douglas Williams
NICK PILIAE
Occupation:
Education and Qualifications: Piliae, who works as a trainer at Escobar Martial Arts, said that he had experience building strong relationships across diverse groups, as well as strong leadership skills. He touted his experience in team sports and in the ski industry. Like many residents of Tahoe, Piliae said, “I moved here for the love of the ski and snowboard industry, but I fell in love with the town. Now, with martial arts, I get to do all my favorite things in my favorite city.” Learn more about Nick Piliae
KELLY O’HAIRE
Occupation: Retired Government Attorney
Education and Qualifications: For more than 30 years, I have dedicated my career to public service. I have served as a police officer, detective, county prosecutor, and attorney advising city governments – helping communities solve difficult problems with professionalism, integrity and accountability. The City of South Lake Tahoe has been my home for 23 years. My husband and I have built our lives here, we deeply care about our community and its future. Learn more about Kelly O’haire
DYNA BOEN
Occupation: Market Research Executive
Education and Qualifications: My career has been built around helping people, teams, and organizations grow. For more than 25 years, I have led through change as a parent, executive, and entrepreneur, with a focus on fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability. My executive experience and graduate studies at the Stanford Graduate School of Business have strengthened my commitment to disciplined value-driven service. Learn more about Dyna Boen
SCOTT ROBBINS
Occupation: Incumbent
Education and Qualifications: Local government putting locals first. We need workforce housing for our nurses, teachers, and service workers. We need to modernize our fire department. Our our roads and transit need continued investment. In the last four years I’ve worked to double funding for lease-to-locals, supported the Sugar Pines affordable housing development, and passed a new policy prioritizing affordable housing for residents over non-residents. We’ve also begun work on a new Fire Station 3, doubled city investments in roadworks to more than $6M/year, completed the new recreation center, and expanded youth swim lessons. I was the only council vote against returning AirBnB’s to our neighborhoods. Learn more about Scott Robbins
DINA RAMAHA-PINO
Occupation: Social Worker / Entrepreneur
Education and Qualifications: With over 23 years of experience as a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and founder of Conscious Mind Therapy Institute, I will bring expertise and skills in communication, active listening, conflict resolution, and empathy to our city hall. As the co-owner of Three Pines Coffee Company (awarded Best of Tahoe 2025), alongside my husband, I understand the heartbeat of our local economy, the realities of supporting a local workforce, and what it takes to keep small businesses thriving. Learn more about Dina Ramaha-Pino
ERIKA GONZALEZ
Occupation: Public Interest Attorney
Education and Qualifications: I’m running for council because I want to be part of an effective council this city can be proud of. My background is as an attorney whose practice focuses on human rights, and I’ve spent my career working with survivors of human trafficking. I’m an active community member serving on the Planning Commission and chairing the Policy Advisory Commission, so I know how city systems work and how to move things forward. Learn more about Erika Gonzalez
JOHN FRIEDRICH
Occupation: Business Development Executive
Education and Qualifications: When I served on City Council from 2020-2024, I listened to the community and acted in response with fellow councilmembers, including funding our new Recreation & Aquatics Center, Sugar Pine Village and Lake Link. We greatly increased the road repair budget, adopted one of the nation’s most ambitious clean energy goals, and banned plastic water bottles. I helped launch the Multicultural Festival. Learn more about John Friedrich
GRANT MCCRACKEN
Occupation: Founder/CEO of Venture Backed Cybersecurity Startup
Education and Qualifications: In all that local government does, it must ask and answer “how does this improve our city for the people who call it home?” To that end, my priorities include housing for a year-round community, reliable roads and transportation, a broader local economy, and a trusted and transparent city government that explains its choices and measures results. Learn more about Grant Mccracken
VERONICA MORALES
Occupation: Local Small Business Owner
Education and Qualifications: My name is Veronica Morales, and I am proud to say that I was born and raised right here in South Lake Tahoe. I went to school here, raised my family here, and all five of my children and now my grandchildren were born here. This community is not just where I live, it is home. I love our city and the people who make it special. I am running for City Council because I want to bring a fresh perspective, a genuine passion for our community, and a strong voice for the locals who are the heart of South Lake Tahoe. I may not have every degree or all the answers, but I bring something I believe matters deeply: a lifetime of love for this community and a willingness to listen, learn, and serve. Learn more about Veronica Morales
GANTT MILLER
Occupation: Architectural Window Representative
Education and Qualifications: As a father of four, former civics and history teacher, business leader, and longtime South Lake Tahoe resident, I am running for City Council to keep Tahoe a place where families can thrive, local businesses can succeed, and neighbors look out for one another. Learn more about Gantt Miller
