‘Plain Talker’ Corral Enters SC City Council Race

A fourth candidate has announced his candidacy for San Carlos City Council.

Former planning commissioner Michael Corral, who describes himself as a plain talker who is willing to listen, announced at a recent commission meeting that he has thrown his hat in the ring for a seat on San Carlos City Council.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, Corral, 51, said in an interview Friday that he hopes to represent residents who feel "unrepresented or underrepresented" by the council. "I don't think the council comes across as accessible," Corral said. "I am a plain talker and I am willing to listen to everybody," Corral told the Merc.  

Mayor Bob Grassilli has said he will be running again for one of the three available spots.   

There are two other challengers in the race for the three open city council seats—businessman Cameron Johnson, who currently serves on the city’s Economic Development Advisory Commission, and Inge Tiegel-Doherty, who served on the city council from 2001 to 2007, including a turn as mayor in 2005.    

Corral, a wine specialist for Safeway, has lived in San Carlos since 2003 with his partner and their three dogs.  

The official filing period for city council candidates is July 15 to Aug. 9; the deadline would be extended to Aug. 14 if Grocott or Clapper, as incumbents, decide not to enter the race.  

The last time these three city council seats were up, only three candidates ran – Grassilli finished first, Andy Klein finished second and Matt Grocott finished third of three.