“This campaign is about listening first, building trust, and making sure the people of Ward 1 feel seen, supported, and represented.”

 

Ward 1 candidate Audra Sisson included a personal note with the photo and press release announcing her candidacy. She describes herself as a Eureka native and includes specifics about her experience. 

Sisson press release:

Eureka native, business leader, and community advocate, Audra Sisson has officially announced her candidacy for City Council in Ward 1, bringing over two decades of experience in business operations, infrastructure systems, and community engagement to the race.

A proud native of Eureka, California, Audra Sisson was raised exploring the Eel River, Mad River, and Van Duzen River, where she grew up and developed a strong connection with the community and the natural environment and the values of resilience, independence, and hard work.

Audra comes from a deeply rooted Humboldt County family. Her mother is from North County (McKinleyville) and her father is from South County (Fortuna and Carlotta), reflecting a multigenerational connection across the region. Her parents have been married for 57 years, and family values of service, respect, and community care were central to her upbringing. Her father managed a local flooring department for over 35 years, building long-standing relationships throughout the community and instilling a strong understanding of small business, trust, and local responsibility.

As a young mother, she left Humboldt County to create a greater opportunity for her daughter, relocating to San Diego, California. There, she worked multiple jobs while raising her child and earned her degree in Business Management and Finance from San Diego State University.

Over the past 20 years, Audra built a career in technology, sales, operations, and business leadership. She helped small, mid-sized, and enterprise companies grow, improve efficiency, and scale operations across industries including transportation, logistics, software systems, security infrastructure, and water treatment. Her work included collaboration with organizations such as the California Trucking Association (CTA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), Water Quality Association (WQA), and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), with a focus on safety, compliance, and operational performance across multiple sectors of the national infrastructure and industrial economy.

Beyond her professional career, Audra is deeply committed to service and community impact. She has supported youth mentorship programs, community cleanups, and fundraising efforts through organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She has also participated in international efforts to help fund and build elementary schools in rural villages in Laos, creating safer and more stable learning environments for children in underserved communities.

Audra is also a mental health advocate focused on expanding access to care, strengthening connections between local service providers, and supporting individuals and families navigating trauma, addiction, and mental health challenges. She believes communities are strongest when support systems are connected, accessible, and easy to navigate.

She is passionate about strengthening small businesses, supporting working families, investing in youth mentorship, and rebuilding community connections across cultural and neighborhood lines in Eureka.

After years building her career across California, Audra returned home to Eureka to care for her mother and reconnect with the community and landscape that shaped her upbringing.

Audra is running for City Council to bring practical, community-centered leadership to Ward 1. She is focused on strengthening access to mental health resources, supporting local businesses, and improving how residents connect with the services and support systems they rely on every day. Her approach is grounded in listening to the community and building on what is already working.

In her spare time, Audra enjoys dancing, writing, attending cultural events, spending time with family, hiking, and is currently working towards becoming a certified yoga instructor.

“This campaign is about listening first, building trust, and making sure the people of Ward 1 feel seen, supported, and represented.” - Audra

Audra’s vision is simple:

A stronger, more connected Eureka where every person feels seen, supported, and able to thrive.

Tagline: Rooted in Community. Focused on You.

Kickoff Event: TBD