Four candidates are running for two at-large seats on the Del Mar City Council in the Nov. 3 election, following the deadline for candidates to register.

Councilmember Terry Gaasterland is seeking a third term. The other seat has been vacant for almost two years after the sudden resignation of Dwight Worden in September 2024 due to health concerns.

Gaasterland said in her candidate statement that her top priorities include utility undergrounding, local control of land use decisions, and removing the train tracks from the bluffs while avoiding a new route that tunnels under Del Mar homes.

The other three candidates are former Finance Committee member Jas Grewal, Planning Commissioner Meghan O. Spieker and former Finance Committee member Jeff Sturgis.

In 2024, Grewal and Sturgis were among the applicants who wanted to be appointed to the City Council to serve the remainder of Worden’s term. But the four council members could not reach a majority vote on an appointee. They were also deadlocked on whether to call a special election, leaving the seat vacant until after the regularly scheduled November election.

“If elected,” Grewal wrote in her candidate statement, “I will help rebuild strong relationships with regional agencies, find practical ways to meet State housing rules, support moving the train off the bluffs without tunneling under homes or businesses, protect our fast emergency response times, improve wildfire and sea-level-rise safety without managed retreat, and preserve Del Mar’s special character.”

Sturgis also mentioned utility undergrounding, rail realignment that avoids eminent domain and upholding the community plan as priorities.

“I am a third generation Del Mar resident who cares deeply about our city and have been actively engaged in Del Mar’s civic life for years,” he wrote in his candidate statement.

Spieker was appointed to the Planning Commission in January 2025 to replace Deputy Mayor John Spelich after he was elected to the City Council.

“I’ll work to preserve local control, protect Del Mar’s interests in rail relocation, improve roads and infrastructure, strengthen fire and flood safety, and manage taxpayer dollars wisely,” Spieker wrote in her candidate statement.