While Monterey Mayor Clyde Roberson and councilmembers Alan Haffa and Libby Downey all plan to run for re-election in November, one person with a recognizable political name is also throwing his hat in the ring. Dan Albert Jr., an associate superintendent with the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, retires in July. After that, he plans to run for Monterey City Council, his first bid for public office.
“I want to do something for the community,” says Albert, a 61-year-old lifelong Monterey resident. “I’ve implemented policy as an administrator for seven years. It would be interesting to be on the other side setting policy.”
Albert’s father, Dan Albert Sr., is a local political heavyweight who served 10 terms as mayor from 1986-2006 and two terms before that on the City Council from 1979-1986.
Albert’s career path has followed his father’s in many ways. They both have taught social studies and worked as activities directors at Monterey High School; both claim to make the best paella.
“My father has obviously been an influence,” says Albert Jr., who has worked at MPUSD for three decades. “I’m proud of him and his accomplishments.”
Monterey City Council seats are at-large, meaning they represent the whole city, not a district. With Albert’s decision to run, there are now three candidates vying for two open seats. Albert has yet to define a campaign platform, but says water supply and the waterfront master plan are issues he wants to address. He says he wants to talk to people in various neighborhoods to determine city residents’ priorities.