Click on each question to reach the candidate’s answer. See responses from other candidates: Dawn Addis and Susannah Brown.
Candidate Statement
Shannon Kessler is a Central Coast businesswoman, mother, and longtime Central Coast children’s and parental rights advocate committed to putting local families first. As a real estate broker, Shannon understands how rising housing costs, public safety concerns, and challenges in education are impacting families across the Central Coast. Shannon is running for Assembly to bring practical, results-driven leadership to Sacramento. She believes in supporting small businesses, improving public safety, addressing homelessness with real accountability, and ensuring students have safe, respectful learning
environments where they can succeed.
Rooted in the values of the Central Coast, Shannon is focused on common-sense solutions that strengthen our economy, protect our communities, and preserve the quality of life that makes this region so special.
Rank the issues in order of importance for our county:
- Housing
- Homelessness
- Infrastructure (roads, water, broadband, etc.)
- Public Safety
- Taxes
- Regional collaboration
- Public Health
- Government regulation
- Climate action and resilience
- Economic recovery and head of household jobs
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
If elected, what will you do to address the issue you identified above as most significant?
Housing is the most urgent issue facing our region. As a real estate broker, I see firsthand how rising costs and limited supply are impacting working families, young professionals, and seniors. We need practical solutions that increase housing availability while protecting the character of our communities.
In Sacramento, I will advocate for policies that streamline responsible development, reduce unnecessary regulatory delays, and support workforce housing. At the same time, we must ensure infrastructure keeps pace and that local communities have a voice in planning decisions.
Housing affordability is directly tied to economic opportunity, workforce stability, and quality of life. We need leadership that understands the local market and is committed to delivering real results—not one-size-fits-all mandates from Sacramento.
Which theme in the Chamber's regional economic vision, Imagine SLO, do you think deserves the most focus in the next four years and why?
We need someone in Sacramento who can be a leader in the business community and understand the values important to the Chamber. I strongly believe I am that leader.
The Chamber’s focus on economic vitality and strong local businesses deserves the most attention in the next two years. Small businesses are the backbone of the Central Coast, yet many are struggling under rising costs, workforce challenges, and increasing regulatory pressure.
We need leadership that understands the realities local businesses face and is willing to advocate for policies that support growth, innovation, and job creation. That means reducing unnecessary red tape, addressing the cost of doing business, and ensuring reliable infrastructure and energy.
By strengthening our business community, we create more opportunities for families, support local jobs, and preserve our region’s character. I am committed to being a strong voice for the Central Coast’s business community and ensuring concerns are heard.
What are you most proud of having contributed to our community in the past ten years?
Women and Girls in Sports. One of the contributions I am most proud of is my work advocating for fairness and opportunities for young women through the Save Girls’ Sports Central Coast, which I founded. This effort brought together parents and community members to raise awareness about student safety, privacy, and equal opportunity in school athletics.
I organized and supported community engagement at local school board meetings, helping ensure that families had a voice in decisions impacting their children. Through this work, we elevated concerns around fairness in girls’ sports and the importance of protecting opportunities for female athletes.
This advocacy grew out of real concerns from local families and reflects my commitment to standing up for students and parents. I am proud to have helped bring people together around an issue that matters deeply to our community and to continue advocating for safe, fair environments where every student can succeed.
Which Assembly Committee has the biggest impact on our region and why?
The Natural Resources Committee has a significant impact on our region because it oversees issues that are critical to the Central Coast, including coastal protection, energy policy, and environmental regulations.
Protecting our coastline, agriculture, and natural resources is essential, but policies must also reflect the realities faced by local businesses and communities. Too often, decisions made in Sacramento do not fully consider the impact on small businesses and regional economies.
We need a balanced approach—one that protects our environment while also supporting economic sustainability and local decision-making. I will work to ensure that Central Coast voices are represented in these discussions and that policies are practical, effective, and locally informed.
Do you think the state government is doing enough to support housing in our region? If not, what would you do to change it?
No, the state is not doing enough to effectively support housing in our region. As a real estate broker and co-manager of our family construction company, I see the direct impact of overregulation, delays, and rising costs that make it harder to build and harder for families to afford homes.
We need to streamline the permitting process, reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers, and encourage responsible development that meets our workforce’s needs. At the same time, we must ensure that infrastructure and community input remain part of the process.
Sacramento should focus on solutions that increase supply and affordability, not on policies that unintentionally make the problem worse. I will advocate for practical, locally informed approaches that help families achieve homeownership and keep our communities strong.
Do you think our business environment is healthy? If not, what would you do to change that?
No, our business environment is not as strong as it should be. Many small businesses are struggling with rising costs, workforce challenges, and concerns about public safety.
We need leadership that supports law enforcement, ensures accountability, and creates a safe environment where businesses can operate and grow. At the same time, we must address the regulatory burden and rising costs that make it harder for businesses to succeed.
Local businesses are essential to our economy and our communities. I will work to support policies that promote economic growth, reduce unnecessary barriers, and ensure that business owners have the support they need to thrive on the Central Coast.