DR. PRIYA BHAT-PATEL

Meet City Council Member

PUTTING CARLSBAD RESIDENTS FIRST

Dr. Priya Bhat-Patel serves as the District 3 Representative on the Carlsbad City Council and Mayor Pro Tempore. First elected in 2018, she made history as the youngest person ever to serve on the Council. Since then, Priya has been a dedicated advocate for her community, working to advance policies that reflect the needs and values of Carlsbad residents. She is seeking re-election in 2026 to continue her service and build on the progress achieved during her tenure.

Priya is a product of the Carlsbad Unified School District and attended college locally at UC San Diego. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Southern California and a Doctorate in Public Health from Loma Linda University. Passionate about serving her community, Priya put her education to task helping to improve overall health and wellness for Carlsbad families.

Council Member Bhat-Patel remains a driven advocate for her constituents and works tirelessly to develop innovative solutions to the city's challenges. She plays an active role in initiatives involving public health and safety, community wellness, civic engagement, climate action, housing, and transit.

GETTING THINGS DONE FOR CARLSBAD.

Notable legislative efforts Priya has achieved:

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Smoking Ban in Multi-Unit Buildings

Council Member Bhat-Patel helped pass a comprehensive smoke-free policy for multi-unit housing, making Carlsbad the first city in San Diego County to do so. As a public health professional and advocate, Priya emphasized the responsibility to protect residents from secondhand smoke, stating, “It is extremely important to make sure that our children are not being affected by this” (The San Diego Union-Tribune). She was recognized with the Tobacco Prevention Hero Award (2025) for her efforts

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Climate Action Plan Update:

Dr. Bhat-Patel has been a key advocate for the Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update. She voted “yes,” and by doing so, she helped greenlight the implementation of waste diversion, energy transition, and water conservation. In 2024, she inquired about the ongoing data collection for the efficacy of the CAP and emphasized the importance of including small businesses.

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Economic Development Strategic Plan:

Council Member Bhat-Patel has been a key driver of Carlsbad’s economic policy through her long-term role on the Economic Development Subcommittee. Her work has focused on transitioning the city from pandemic recovery to a structured, five-year growth model. In 2025, Priya oversaw the launch of an updated Economic Intelligence Dashboard and supported the reestablishment of the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) to boost local tourism, which is essential to the city’s general fund. Dr. Bhat-Patel continues to work with the small business community to help make Carlsbad more family-friendly.

“As your Council Member, I will continue to deliver on many priorities, including but not limited to public health and safety, housing and homelessness, economic development, and sustainability.”

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HOMEGROWN LEADER.

As a longtime resident of Carlsbad, a graduate of UC San Diego, and a product of the Carlsbad Unified School District, she understands the value of the city and its people. She lives with her husband, kids, and pup. Priya Bhat-Patel strives to continue pushing for a better Carlsbad for her family and fellow community members.

Serving the Home That Raised Me

People often ask what my day-to-day actually looks like. This 2022 "Day in the Life" (shoutout to Tosh Carr) shows the beautiful chaos of balancing motherhood, my career, and serving the Carlsbad community I’ve called home since I was a kid.

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