Carmel-by-the-Sea Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Hans
Buder
Hans Buder is running for mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against David Boland.
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The race · Mayor
- 01David Boland
- 02Hans BuderYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Carmel-by-the-Sea councilmember and former board chair of the Monterey County Housing Authority. He holds an MPA from Harvard and an MBA from Stanford.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Carmel City Councilmember
- Party
- Nonpartisan race. California Constitution, Article II, Section 6
- Endorsed by
- Former U.S. Representative Sam Farr; former Carmel mayors Ken White and Dave Potter; former Carmel councilmembers Victoria Beach, Carolyn Hardy, Paula Hazdovac, Steve Hillyard and Gerard Rose; former City Administrator Doug Schmitz; and residents listed on his site. Hans Buder for Carmel Mayor
- Campaign website
- www.hansbuderforcarmel.com
If Hans Buder is elected mayor, his council seat would become vacant; Monterey County Weekly says it would likely be filled by appointment. Monterey County Weekly · Oct 8, 2026
On the record: Hans Buder
9 sourced01City services1 sourced position
Says his top priority as mayor will be a more effective and accountable city government.
My top priority as Mayor will be to build a more effective and accountable City government that delivers the high standard of service our residents deserve.”
Own statementHans Buder for Carmel MayorLink
02Housing2 sourced positions
Says he helped lead the effort to amend the city's Housing Element.
I helped lead the effort to amend our Housing Element”
Own statementHans Buder · Jul 28, 2026Link
Voted yes on amending the General Plan by adopting the 2023-2031 Housing Element amendment (passed 3-2, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Carmel-by-the-Sea · Jul 7, 2026LinkHow the council voted
03Hotel tax (Measure M)2 sourced positions
Voted yes on placing a new 2% hotel tax (transient occupancy tax) measure on the November 2026 ballot (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Carmel-by-the-Sea · Jun 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on approving the city's rebuttal to the ballot argument against the hotel tax measure (passed 4-0, August 2026).
Council voteCity of Carmel-by-the-Sea · Aug 14, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Sales tax (Measure N)1 sourced position
Voted yes on placing a sales tax increase from 1.5% to 1.875% on the November 2026 ballot (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Carmel-by-the-Sea · Jun 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
05Tourism marketing1 sourced position
Voted yes on amending the 2026-27 budget to fund See Monterey's marketing request of $292,947 (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council voteCity of Carmel-by-the-Sea · Jul 6, 2026LinkHow the council voted
06City budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on adopting the fiscal year 2026-27 operating and capital budget, with See Monterey marketing set to $0 pending a July discussion (passed 5-0, June 2026).
Council voteCity of Carmel-by-the-Sea · Jun 2, 2026LinkHow the council voted
07Past candidacy1 sourced position
Ran for City Council in 2024 (won).
Own statementCity of Carmel-by-the-Sea · Dec 9, 2024Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
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