Review note: Susie Morasci for Half Moon Bay City Council (District 5) -- campaign site: a multi-generational Coastsider and volleyball coach active in local civic groups (the IDES Society of Half Moon Bay, the city's Beautification Committee, and two long-running community luncheon events), running on listening to residents and "moving Half Moon Bay forward with purpose and action" may have more bias because it is an advocacy voter guide compared to other formal government and nonprofit journalism sources.
- smcacre.gov (opens in a new tab)San Mateo County ACRE (Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder-Elections) -- Roster of Candidates, Qualified Candidates Only, November 3, 2026 General Election (CFMR009), dated 2026-08-25: the county's own certified candidate list, confirming both District 5 (Short Term) candidates and their ballot designations, and that Board of Education Trustee Area 2 is the only one of three expiring county trustee areas flagged 'On Ballot: Yes'
- halfmoonbay.gov (opens in a new tab)City of Half Moon Bay -- "2026 City Council Qualified Candidates" page: the city's own list of qualified candidates by district (1, 4, 5), matching the county's certified roster name-for-name and confirming ballot order per the Secretary of State's August 13, 2026 randomized alphabet drawing
- halfmoonbay.gov (opens in a new tab)City of Half Moon Bay -- "Half Moon Bay Election Districts" page: the city's 5-district by-district council election system, adopted 2018 with boundaries redrawn by a 2021 redistricting process; confirms Districts 1, 4, and 5 elect in November 2026 (Districts 2 and 3 next elect in 2028), 4-year council terms, and no term limits
- halfmoonbay.gov (opens in a new tab)City of Half Moon Bay -- "City Council Members" directory page: names the sitting 5-member council by district -- Mayor Debbie Ruddock (District 4), Vice Mayor Deborah Penrose (District 5), and Councilmembers Robert Brownstone (District 1), Patric Bo Jonsson (District 2), and Paul Nagengast (District 3)
- halfmoonbay.gov (opens in a new tab)City of Half Moon Bay -- official biography for Vice Mayor Deborah Penrose: first elected to the council in 2014 representing District 5, a term the page states "concludes in December 2026"; a career as a physician practicing general medicine in Half Moon Bay for 22 years. Cited here because Penrose is not among the certified 2026 candidates for her own seat -- this page confirms she holds it and that her term is the one on the ballot, without stating a reason she isn't seeking another one
- votemorascihmb.com (opens in a new tab)Susie Morasci for Half Moon Bay City Council (District 5) -- campaign site: a multi-generational Coastsider and volleyball coach active in local civic groups (the IDES Society of Half Moon Bay, the city's Beautification Committee, and two long-running community luncheon events), running on listening to residents and "moving Half Moon Bay forward with purpose and action"
Last updated September 7, 2026.
City of Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay City Council, District 5
This person holds one of five district seats on Half Moon Bay's City Council. They vote on coastal land-use and development decisions, the city budget, and oversight of an appointed city manager. The council chooses its own Mayor and Vice Mayor each year rather than voters electing them directly. The term is four years; the city has no term limits.
District 5 is an open seat. Susie Morasci and Steven R. Booker are running for it. Sitting Vice Mayor Deborah Penrose did not file to run again.
Whoever wins takes one of five seats on Half Moon Bay's City Council, setting the budget, deciding coastal land-use and development matters, and overseeing an appointed city manager. Councilmembers choose their own Mayor and Vice Mayor each year rather than voters electing them directly. The term is four years; the city has no term limits.
Penrose has represented District 5 since 2014 and chairs the council as Vice Mayor; the city's own bio page lists her current term as concluding in December 2026, but gives no reason she isn't on this year's certified candidate list. Both Morasci and Booker are first-time candidates for elected office, and neither has an incumbent's record to run on or against.
Susie Morasci
Susie Morasci is a first-time candidate for the open District 5 seat. Morasci has spent years in local civic roles. They coached volleyball and led the city's Beautification Committee.
Steven R. Booker
Steven R. Booker is a first-time candidate for the open District 5 seat. The county lists their job as "Electrician." No other detail about them was found.
Your pick
A nonpartisan office: candidates do not run as Democrats or Republicans, and no party appears on the ballot.