Gaea.Powell@Gmail.com

Gaea powell
for Slo county Clerk-Recorder

Gaea powell for Slo county Clerk-RecorderGaea powell for Slo county Clerk-RecorderGaea powell for Slo county Clerk-Recorder

Gaea powell
for Slo county Clerk-Recorder

Gaea powell for Slo county Clerk-RecorderGaea powell for Slo county Clerk-RecorderGaea powell for Slo county Clerk-Recorder

Gaea.Powell@Gmail.com

Fearlessly Fighting for Legitimacy and Transparency!

Placeholder Page - Because Every Citizen Deserves an Election They Can Trust.

Placeholder Page - Because Every Citizen Deserves an Election They Can Trust.Placeholder Page - Because Every Citizen Deserves an Election They Can Trust.Placeholder Page - Because Every Citizen Deserves an Election They Can Trust.
Contact SLOCO Data to Order Printed Materials

Fearlessly Fighting for Legitimacy and Transparency!

Placeholder Page - Because Every Citizen Deserves an Election They Can Trust.

Placeholder Page - Because Every Citizen Deserves an Election They Can Trust.Placeholder Page - Because Every Citizen Deserves an Election They Can Trust.Placeholder Page - Because Every Citizen Deserves an Election They Can Trust.
Contact SLOCO Data to Order Printed Materials

Restoring Trust in San Luis Obispo County Elections

Smiling woman with curly hair wearing a light blue shirt.

Uncompromising Fortitude

 

My Mission

My mission is to restore common sense, transparency, and trust to San Luis Obispo County’s election process. I will speak out whenever state directives threaten the constitutional rights of the people of our county or attempt to silence or discredit citizens who raise legitimate election concerns.


Core Election Principles


  • Voter ID Required
  • U.S. Citizens Only
  • Clean and Accurate Voter Rolls
  • In-Person Voting with Paper Ballots
  • Absentee Ballots Only for Legitimate Needs
  • Same-Day Voting
  • Same-Day Results
  • Full Transparency
  • More North County Office Access
  • Civics and Election Process Education
     

Why This Matters

Our State and Federal Constitutions were designed with safeguards to protect local governments from overreach and to shield the people from laws or actions that undermine their rights. San Luis Obispo County has the right to determine its own election processes—and should never be pressured, sued, or intimidated by state officials or agencies for implementing reasonable measures that protect election integrity.


My Qualifications

As an experienced business consultant, I bring the diverse skills, organizational insight, and leadership needed to manage the complex responsibilities and sworn duties of the County Clerk-Recorder’s Office.


A Secure Election System Protects Everyone

If safeguarding our elections matters to you as much as it does to me, I invite you to reach out, get involved, and consider supporting my campaign. A sound and secure election process is essential to the safety, stability, and prosperity of our beautiful county, our state, and our nation.

Deeper Dive on Issues and Mission

Questions and Answers

I am running for San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder because at no time in California’s history has it been more urgent for citizens to unite and reclaim authority from California state and local politicians who have nearly destroyed our cherished way of life. Their policies have pushed families out of our communities, eroded common sense, and weakened the very institutions meant to protect us. The only way to stop this insanity is to ensure our electoral processes are legitimate and accountable. As Clerk-Recorder, this will be my primary mission.


San Luis Obispo County needs a leader who is bold enough—and unafraid—to alert the public to unjust election laws and empower citizens to elect representatives who truly reflect the people’s will. Party lines mean nothing if our elections lack integrity. The current web of nonsensical election dictates has severely damaged public trust and must be confronted head-on.


Gavin Newsom is even refusing to comply with federal law or cooperate with the federal government’s efforts to clean up voter rolls—efforts required under the Help America Vote Act and the National Voter Registration Act. Why are so many of our California representatives unwilling to strive for straightforward, trustworthy, stellar elections?


We all know what makes sense: voters must be United States citizens; voter identification is essential; in-person paper ballots should be the standard (with absentee ballots reserved for legitimate needs only); we need same-day voting and same-day results; less technology that can be compromised; and routine voter-roll maintenance. These are not partisan ideas—they are basic pillars of public trust.


Too many people have fled California due to government overreach and unjust laws forced upon them by representatives who do not actually represent the people. One reason we arrived at this crisis is because our electoral processes have been manipulated, distorted, and in some cases corrupted. This is a critical moment. If citizens do not get involved at the local level now, we may not have a state left to save. Reform begins locally. County Clerks-Recorders across California should be raising the alarm, not rubber-stamping a broken system. They should be championing real Civics education and encouraging citizens to recognize their responsibility to engage. Freedom is not free; it must be actively protected.


San Luis Obispo County deserves a Clerk-Recorder who does not confuse the public or the candidates, one who cooperates—but does not “collaborate”—with the District Attorney or any government office, and who understands the importance of remaining independent. I will honor my oath to the California and Federal Constitutions, will advocate for and implement systems that truly protect our election processes, and serve the public with transparency and accountability. Over the years I have proven that my loyalty is to the people, not to political agendas.


What are the three most important pillars that you are running on?


(1) Standing Against Government Gamesmanship & Restoring Election Legitimacy 

The people of San Luis Obispo County deserve an election office that operates without political manipulation, favoritism, or selective enforcement from the State or local elected representatives. My priority is to expose and eliminate practices that undermine public trust and the legitimacy of our election process. My specific goals are listed on my campaign website. 


(2) Protecting Constitutional Rights from State and Local Overreach

State or federal mandates should never override the rights of San Luis Obispo County citizens. I will uphold the Constitution, safeguard civil liberties, and ensure that citizens who raise concerns are never silenced or dismissed.


For years, we’ve watched government agencies — including our own DA’s office — overstep their authority. I will ensure the Clerk-Recorder’s office respects the Constitution and serves the public instead of political power structures.


(3) Radical Transparency & Accountability

Sunlight is the best disinfectant. The Clerk-Recorder’s office belongs to the people, not to bureaucrats or politicians. I will make election procedures, public records access, and internal operations more transparent than they have ever been. We need to return to common sense election practices, processes and simplicity. 


Avoiding Special Interests and Conflicts of Interests

I will not be beholden to special interests, large donors, or organizations seeking influence I will remain within all applicable spending limits.


Supporters who wish to display campaign materials—such as signs, cards, banners, or posters—may choose to purchase them directly from a printer using artwork I provide. This approach helps limit the influence of money in politics and allows me to remain fully independent and accountable only to the legal citizen voters of San Luis Obispo County.



Smiling woman with curly hair wearing a light blue shirt outdoors.

New Times Interview Questions and Answers

Why do you want to run for this office specifically?

I realized the most consequential role in San Luis Obispo County is County Clerk-Recorder. I am confident the voters agree that we need a fearless fighter in this role as the election process must reflect the will of the people and result in the legitimate choice of their representatives. We can clearly see the consequences of our current corrupted process that is void of common sense and has resulted in the election of some who do not honor their solemn oath to the State and Federal Constitutions and who do not represent the will of the people.


I ran for mayor of Arroyo Grande because I refused to sit quietly while government overreach, corruption and anti-American policies crept deeper into our communities and schools. Once charges were unjustly filed against me in another attempt to silence my voice, I realized running for Clerk-Recorder was imperative as this role is essential to restore honesty, accountability and transparency to the election processes. 


Most do not trust the legitimacy of our elections due to a great deal of confusion around the process, people receiving multiple ballots in the mail, no identification needed to vote, no need to prove citizenship, invalid voters on dirty voter rolls, who is eligible to run for office, staff expected to determine if ballot signatures compare to DMV electronic signatures, people being ‘automatically’ registered without consent, who do you file a complaint with if you suspect shenanigans… I could go on. 


This confusion is caused by unjust election laws, and we need a County Clerk-Recorder with the courage to call it out, stand against it and who will offer solutions. The best way to achieve change and restore trust and confidence to our elections is to educate the public and remind them of the extraordinary importance of their responsibility as citizens to become engaged, as freedom isn’t free. We must regain control over our elections, and I have the expertise and determination to assist in achieving this goal. 


I am tired of watching our great State and this county slide into a place where government believes it rules the people, instead of the other way around. I have spent years calling out corruption, conflicts of interest, and unconstitutional mandates regardless of which side of the aisle. I have experienced local officials and bureaucrats’ endeavor to silence, smear, or intimidate me and others for speaking out.


My advocacy began long before COVID, but the government’s behavior during that period was a breaking point. Taxpayer-funded agencies enforced unlawful mandates, false messaging, and pushed dangerous experimental medical products while trampling constitutional rights, as local influencers, officials and elected representatives sold the narrative by using fear for compliance. This coercion resulted in causing grave harm.


People can’t trust their representatives and officials if they don’t trust election results. Here are a few of the essentials I will fight for: requiring voter ID, proof of citizenship, paper ballots, transparent counting, same day results, and actively cleaning voter rolls. Election legitimacy is my highest priority and moral obligation to our Constitutional Republic and its safeguards and protections for government overreach and anti-American agendas. My mission will also include offering civics education throughout our county.


What policies or changes would you make that differ from the current Clerk-Recorder?

In my opinion, the current Clerk-Recorder’s leadership has lacked transparency, accountability, system management, and neutrality. A Grand Jury concluded there were no proper Standard Operating Procedures under her leadership. That alone should alarm people.


Even more concerning: I believe the current Clerk-Recorder’s crossed ethical lines by communicating with the District Attorney’s Office regarding candidate complaints that should have been referred to contacting the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). Less than thirty days before the November 2024 election, she also confirmed to the press, investigations that the DA refused to confirm or deny. Some may disagree with me on my stance that her actions meet the legal definition of “election interference,” and her actions absolutely destroys trust in an unbiased investigatory process and discourages others from running for office.


My policy will be simple: No collaboration with prosecutors on political or candidate matters unless the law explicitly requires it. Cooperation, not collaboration.


Complaints about candidates, government representatives, officials and staff belong with the FPPC — the agency that has legal authority, jurisdiction and expertise, not with DA Dan Dow who has repeatedly confirmed his biases and conflicts of interests by making financial contributions to candidates, endorsing elected officials and supporting other candidates and government officials over others. Our current Clerk-Recorder included. Certainly, neither the DA’s nor the Clerk-Records offices should engage with one another as a tag-team operation.


I believe the unconstitutional DA’s Public Integrity Unit has been weaponized to make examples of regular citizens while ignoring serious issues that profoundly affect the public. From where I stand, it looks like a political pandering machine masquerading as a justice unit.


Are there any existing policies you’d retain?

I don’t believe in throwing out what works. I trust a lot of the Clerk-Recorder’s core services — recordation, vital records, licensing — have run smoothly for decades with adjustments made as needed. I have no interest in disrupting things that are already functioning and efficiently serving the public.


But the elections process? That division needs a complete culture change. I will review every policy the current Clerk-Recorder implemented and determine if some or all secure election legitimacy and transparency. If not, it goes. Simple.


As a business consultant, I’ve re-engineered and/or rebuilt entire organizations from the ground up. The Clerk-Record’s office is no different. I know how to evaluate its systems objectively, identify success, cut out dead weight, eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, and build teams that know what accountability means and who have a deep understanding of honoring their solemn oath to the State and Federal Constitutions.


How will you juggle the campaign and your court case?

Easily, as I know I did not commit a crime, and no amount of spin from the DA’s office will change the facts. From my perspective, the DA’s investigation into me — the digital seizures, nine-month fishing expeditions, the attempt to paint me as some sort of criminal — was nothing more than political intimidation. I believe I was targeted because I have been outspoken in challenging the political machine, and because I filed complaints with the DA’s Public Integrity Unit regarding very real issues that harm the ‘people’ including federal law violations: child abuse and sexualization, anti-American policy implementation, and irregularities within the Clerk-Recorder’s office.


Though I am still reviewing the discovery presented by the DA’s office, the primary evidence does not show any crime on my part. I will defend myself, I will campaign, and I will continue exposing what I believe are abuses of power in this county, and throughout our state. 


I trust Judge Covello. I believe he is fair, impartial, and not influenced by political winds.


A conviction could disqualify you from running. Are you concerned?

No. Because I expect to be found not guilty, because I am.


I believe the DA wanted to bury me under a pile of charges and irrelevant data to force a plea, remove me from public life, and use me as a political warning to others: “Stay quiet or we’ll come for you too.”


This tactic is not new. My research shows it has happened to others in this county, but I am not built to fold. I will fight, I will expose, I will appeal if necessary — and I will win.


Conclusion

This office needs someone who has already walked through political fire and come out stronger.

I am not running because it is easy. I am running because the stakes couldn’t be higher and I refuse to stand-by while our government, including the County Clerk-Recorder’s office, slides any further toward Socialism and a government that targets dissent instead of serving the people.

Confident mature woman with curly hair wearing a beige top and white knitted cardigan.

Lawfare Attempts to Silence Me, Only Make Me Stronger!

Can you comment on the current ongoing legal process regarding election fraud allegations and charges you face from previous campaigns?

Yes — I will address this directly.

The charges brought against me are completely unfounded, and I am vigorously defending myself. I maintain my innocence and affirm that I fully complied with the candidacy requirements presented to me by the City of Arroyo Grande Clerk’s Office and the Fair Political Practices Commission.


What voters should know is when and why these allegations arose.


They did not arise in a vacuum. They came after I began persistently and publicly speaking out about government overreach, election practices in San Luis Obispo County, and serious concerns I raised to the District Attorney’s Office regarding child sexualization and abuse in our schools, Title IX violations, and policies I believe are harmful to families and fundamentally un-American.

Dan Dow has stated these matters were “not his jurisdiction.” 


That may be his legal position. However, the absence of public warning, transparency, or meaningful action on issues involving children and parents raises legitimate questions. In my view, silence from those entrusted with protecting the public is not neutral — it has consequences.

No matter the fear, intimidation, or obstructive tactics used against me, I will not back down. Attempts to silence me have only strengthened my resolve. Standing up against corruption, abuse, and unjust laws is not extremism — it is the duty of every elected official and the moral obligation of every citizen.


I am confident the truth will come out in court. I will not allow politically motivated actions or selective enforcement to silence me — nor will I stop encouraging others to demand transparency, accountability, and integrity from their government.


Why can/should voters trust you as a candidate for the top officer of SLO County’s election office amid these allegations?

Voters should trust me precisely because I am someone who stands up to government pressure and refuses to bow to lawfare or political intimidation. I am living proof of what happens when government power is abused and weaponized for personal or political gain and I am willing to challenge improper influence and unjust laws, and be independent of political networks, including the DA’s office. Cooperation, no collaboration.


Public Integrity Unit — or a Propagandized Paper Tiger?  

If Dan Dow believed his tactics would silence me, he miscalculated and underestimated me.

In my view, his so-called Public Integrity Unit functions as a paper tiger — engineered to generate high-profile headlines rather than to pursue genuine public accountability. A unit charged with protecting integrity cannot credibly earn public trust while its leadership openly engages in political favoritism, including funding campaigns, endorsing candidates, and publicly supporting elected officials such as our current county clerk-recorder, all while maintaining a constant public relations presence on social media.


The result is not integrity — it is optics.

Rather than prioritizing corrupt officials or entrenched power, the Public Integrity Unit appears far more willing to target private citizens who question government behavior or who are presumed easier to intimidate. These “integrity policing” tactics only strengthen my resolve and make clear how urgently reform is needed.


I have nothing to hide, and I am not part of the political establishment. My commitment is to the Constitutions and to the people of San Luis Obispo County — not to political parties, bureaucracies, or special interests.


If anything, these experiences have shown the public exactly what happens when someone asks hard questions and demands real answers. I will always stand for honesty, accountability, and the constitutional rights of every citizen. That is the kind of leadership this office needs — and voters know it.


Has representing yourself in trial taught you anything that may be relevant to your campaign or serving as Clerk-Recorder?

Absolutely. Representing myself has given me firsthand insight into how essential transparency, due process, and accountability truly are — and how quickly systems can fail when officials forget they work for the people.


I have trust in Judge Covello. I believe he is fair, impartial, and not influenced by political pressure.

Through this process, I have gained deep familiarity with the law, court procedures, and the practical realities of navigating the justice system. I have written my own motions, argued them in court, and challenged the District Attorney’s positions directly. I understand the stakes — and I understand the actors involved.


This experience has not discouraged me. It has strengthened my resolve to defend constitutional rights, expand access to public information, and insist on fairness and transparency in every function of the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.


It has made me more determined — not less.

Hand holding a knotted brown fabric with the word 'LAWFARE' on a gray background.

We Must Have Legitimate Elections!

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Diverse group of people casting votes in a U.S. election.
Person filling out a voter registration form with a pen.
A person casting a vote with the American flag in the background.
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Pile of patriotic "I Voted" pins with American flag colors and stars.

Contact

Gaea.Powell@Gmail.com

San Luis Obispo County, CA, USA

Gaea4Clerk

567 Heritage Ln, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

+1.3107808393

Copyright © 2026 Gaea4Clerk - All Rights Reserved.

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