David Swift
Candidate for Mayor, Grover Beach
David Swift is a Grover Beach Planning Commissioner, appointed to the commission in 2023, and a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo who spent his career as a mechanical engineer before retiring. He moved to Grover Beach in 2020 and became active in local government soon after, applying in 2024 to fill a vacant city council seat that opened after a councilmember's recall; another applicant was appointed to the seat instead. He kicked off his current campaign in May 2026 at a local restaurant in Grover Beach, saying both city staff and elected officials have not paid enough attention to the concerns of everyday residents.
Positions in brief
Swift's platform centers on responsible, balanced growth, public safety investment, sound infrastructure maintenance, and greater transparency and accountability in city budgeting.
Swift says Grover Beach must comply with state housing mandates but should still shape new development around community character, protecting view corridors and gathering resident input through public workshops. On the economy, he wants to support local businesses and attract sustainable employers offering competitive wages. His public-safety plan calls for stronger partnerships with law enforcement, proactive crime-prevention programs, and better-equipped, better-trained first responders. On infrastructure, he wants to finish pending street improvements, secure stable maintenance funding, advance sewer upgrades, and keep the water system financially sound. He also wants city government to adopt detailed, line-item budgeting and to discuss long-term financial planning openly before problems become crises.
On the issues
Supports new development that reflects Grover Beach's community character while still meeting state-mandated housing goals.
“State housing mandates are a reality, but we still have a responsibility to make sure new development reflects the character, needs, and priorities of our community.”
Source →Wants to support local businesses and create quality jobs by attracting sustainable employers offering competitive wages.
“supporting local businesses and creating quality jobs”
Source →Prioritizes public safety through partnership with law enforcement and proactive crime-prevention programs.
“strategic partnerships with law enforcement and proactive crime prevention programs”
Source →Supports completing street improvements and securing dedicated funding for ongoing road maintenance.
Source →Backs advancing sewer-system upgrades and keeping Grover Beach's water system reliable and financially sound.
“reliable and financially stable water systems”
Source →Calls for detailed line-item budgeting and open discussion of the city's long-term finances before problems arise.
“before problems become crises”
Source →
Profiles are compiled from the candidate’s own statements and public records. We never tell you how to vote.