My name is Micayla Sortland, and I’m excited to announce my candidacy for Nevada City Council in the June 2026 election.

I’m running because I love Nevada City and believe our town can be a model for how neighbors come together and care for one another in difficult times.

My priorities are championing vulnerable community members, protecting our fragile ecosystem, and ensuring reliable core city services: strong infrastructure, effective fire protection, and responsible stewardship of public funds.

I’m committed to protecting our small-town character and neighborhoods, preserving what makes our town special while building a vibrant, sustainable future for generations to come.

Read the Full Candidate Statement on Yubanet
Read the Full Candidate Statement on Yubanet

Disability Advocate.

Musician.

Micayla has Local Roots and a Fresh Perspective.

  • Micayla believes Nevada City is strongest when we take care of one another and listen to each other.

    Her values are rooted in compassion, accountability, and stewardship - championing vulnerable community members, protecting our fragile ecosystem, and preserving the small-town character that makes Nevada City special.

    She is committed to fiscal responsibility, transparency, and ensuring wise use of public resources for the benefit of current and future generations.

  • Reliable City Services & Infrastructure
    Protecting public health by maintaining and modernizing water, sewer, and core city systems.

    Wildfire Resilience & Public Safety
    Prioritizing fire protection and preparedness in our fire-prone foothill community.

    Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency
    Thoughtful stewardship of taxpayer dollars with clear, accountable decision-making.

    Environmental Sustainability
    Advancing zero-waste efforts and a more circular, local economy to protect our environment.

    Arts, Culture & Local Business
    Supporting artists, small venues, and independent businesses that fuel Nevada City’s identity and economy.

    Housing for Our Community
    Encouraging thoughtfully planned affordable housing so the people who love Nevada City can afford to live here.

  • Micayla brings a listener’s mindset to leadership.

    With two decades of experience advocating for people navigating complex systems, she knows how to dig into details, ask the right questions, and follow through.

    She believes the best solutions come from collaboration - working with residents, businesses, city staff, and fellow council members - while staying grounded in lived experience, fairness, and respect.

Endorsements

✅ Endorse Micayla Here
✅ Endorse Micayla Here

Elected & Public Officials

  • Adam Kline – Mayor of Nevada City

  • Hilary Hodge - Mayor of Grass Valley

  • Heidi Hall – Nevada County Supervisor, District 1

  • Daniela Fernández – Nevada City Councilmember & Former Mayor

  • Gary Petersen – Nevada City Councilmember & Former Mayor

  • Hon. Kathleen Butz Berardi – Retired Superior Court Justice

  • Wendy Willoughby – Board Member, Nevada Joint Union High School District

  • Jo Garst – Nevada County Planning Commissioner, District 5

  • Amy Cobden, PhD – Nevada City Planning Commissioner

  • Tom Ivy – Grass Valley City Councilmember, Local Contractor

  • Joe Bonomolo – Grass Valley City Councilmember

Former Nevada City & Regional Mayors

  • Duane Strawser – Former Nevada City Mayor, Former Chamber of Commerce Board President, & Wildfire Risk Reduction Manager

  • Erin Minett – Former Nevada City Mayor & Councilmember

  • Evans Phelps - Former Nevada City Mayor & Councilmember

  • Steve Cottrell – Former Nevada City Mayor & Councilmember

  • Lisa Swarthout – Former Grass Valley Mayor & Councilmember 

Local Organizations

  • The Nevada County Democrats

Community & Business Leaders

  • Gary Tintle – President, Tintle Inc

  • Shana Maziarz – Cofounder, Three Forks

  • Jeff Clark – Onyx Theater

  • Teresa Mann – JJ Jackson's

  • Jan Maes – Executive Director, Sierra Energy Reimagined

  • Carabeth Rowley – Development Director, Nevada City School of the Arts

  • Jesse Locks – Community Leader

  • Michael and Alicia Funk - Community Leaders

  • Barbara Bashall - Former Executive Director Nevada County Contractors’ Association

  • Jane Primrose – Community Leader

  • Christine Newsom, MD

  • Dave Mann – Local Architect

  • Shirley Frericks – Lead, WasteNOT & Nevada County Climate Action Now

  • Greg Cameron – Cameron Pro Audio

  • Sheila Cameron – Media Consultant

  • Buck Rainey – Unit J Social Club

  • Molly Fisk - Inaugural Poet Laureate Emerita of Nevada County (see Molly’s wonderful endorsement letter on YubaNet here!)

  • Miriam Morris - Town Volunteer

  • Charles (Chuck) Durrett - Local Architect/International Housing Expert

  • Dave and Michelle Cowie - Cofounders, Three Forks

  • Pinky Zalkin - Community Leader

  • Carrie Hawthorne - Kitkitdizzi, Shop Owner

  • Kira Westly - Kitkitdizzi, Shop Owner

  • Jeff Thorsby - Former Nevada County Chief of Staff

  • Charly Price - Nevada City Singer/ Songwriter 

  • Anne Padget - Retired Business Manager

  • Annie Aguilar - Doctor of Chiropractic, Hunt Vitality Chiropractic, Teacher, Sweat Nevada County

Contact Our Team

Interested in getting in touch with Micayla directly or working together?

Let us know and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Email micayla.nevadacity@gmail.com

Email to Request a Yard Sign!
Email to Request a Yard Sign!

Sustainability

★

Community

★

Responsibility

★

Sustainability ★ Community ★ Responsibility ★