Shane Hirschman, a member of San Clemente’s Arts and Culture Committee and a former City Council candidate, is running for San Clemente’s first directly elected mayor in the Nov. 3 general election. Hirschman's campaign platform emphasizes coastal preservation, support for local businesses, expanding cultural opportunities, and promoting government transparency.
A primary concern for Hirschman is coastal erosion, which continues to threaten San Clemente’s beaches and infrastructure. He supports Measure M, the proposed local sales-tax increase, noting it could generate city revenue, including funds for coastal protection and other municipal priorities. While acknowledging the concerns of constituents regarding tax increases, Hirschman describes such increases as a last resort, believing the city’s erosion challenges require immediate attention. He contends that additional local revenue could help San Clemente secure matching state and federal funding for sand replenishment projects, which he identifies as his preferred immediate approach to coastal protection. This would be followed by ongoing maintenance and consideration of longer-term alternatives, such as artificial reefs and other natural methods of retaining sand. Hirschman emphasized the importance of making progress on these issues before the 2028 Olympic surfing competition at Trestles, when the city and its coastline are expected to receive international attention.
Beyond coastal preservation, Hirschman aims to address parking shortages in downtown San Clemente, particularly on and near Avenida Del Mar. Acknowledging recent efforts like expanded trolley service and parking time limits, he suggests a more permanent solution may be necessary, proposing a study into the feasibility of a downtown parking structure, potentially incorporating subterranean levels and a multistory facility. Hirschman also suggested exploring additional revenue opportunities connected to the city’s wedding and special events industry. He noted San Clemente’s concentration of event venues, especially in North Beach, could present an opportunity to explore a tax on certain events, though he stressed this idea is preliminary and local residents would be exempt. Hirschman, an art director with a professional background in design and media arts, studied at UCLA and previously worked with the Los Angeles film office. He states this experience provided insight into how municipal government interacts with residents and businesses, which he believes could bring a different perspective to city leadership in supporting small businesses and improving permitting processes.
Arts and entertainment form another central component of Hirschman’s campaign. His involvement with the Arts and Culture Committee and local art events, including a monthly art crawl, has shown him how cultural programming can support businesses and encourage community participation. He supports exploring a permanent live music venue or outdoor amphitheater that could attract touring musicians and expand San Clemente’s entertainment offerings. Hirschman referenced the economic activity generated by the Ohana Festival in Dana Point as an example of how live entertainment can benefit surrounding businesses and the hospitality industry. He believes San Clemente’s location between Los Angeles and San Diego could make the city an attractive destination for touring performers. Looking ahead, Hirschman sees the city’s centennial celebration and the Olympic surfing competition in 2028 as opportunities to make lasting improvements to the community, suggesting expanded cultural programming, public art installations, culinary events, and celebrations highlighting the city’s history and surfing heritage, while also recognizing Indigenous communities.
Hirschman described his campaign as a grassroots effort centered on transparency, accessibility, and collaboration, stating it has been largely self-financed with support from individuals in his local arts network rather than political action committees. Regarding public safety, Hirschman expressed concerns about surveillance technology along the coastline and its potential implications for residents’ privacy, stating he would prefer supporting law enforcement through other approaches rather than expanding surveillance measures that he believes could infringe on privacy rights.
Concerning the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), Hirschman emphasized the importance of continued communication between local officials and the state and federal agencies responsible for the facility’s decommissioning. While acknowledging that the mayor would have limited authority over the removal of spent nuclear fuel, he said he would advocate for long-term planning regarding the site’s eventual future use.
If elected, Hirschman stated his first-year priorities would include protecting the coastline, improving conditions for small businesses, and ensuring that investments associated with the 2028 events provide lasting benefits for residents. He hopes to bring a fresh perspective to city government while maintaining the qualities that make San Clemente distinctive. Hirschman is running against current City Councilmember Victor Cabral and former Mayor Kathy Ward in the Nov. 3 election.
