Meet Jay Petrek

Jay is proud to call San Marcos his family’s home for over 28 years and believes this community offers fantastic opportunity and promise. His proven experience and competent leadership are necessary to tackle challenges facing the city’s future to preserve and enhance the quality of life for its residents. Jay has always been focused on what's best for our San Marcos community.

Jay graduated from Poway High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Planning from California State Polytechnic University (CalPoly) Pomona. He is also a graduate of the California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) Leadership North County program.

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Jay was twice elected to the San Marcos Unified School District Board of Trustees. He was also unanimously appointed by the San Marcos City Council in 2018 to serve a two-year term, filling a seat that was vacated in the prior election. Jay currently serves as a city council appointee to the city’s General Plan Advisory Committee.

Jay has been an active volunteer in numerous San Marcos organizations including youth baseball, cub scouts, school parent clubs and served many years as a classroom helper. He has also been appointed to serve on several school district and city council citizen committees over the years.

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Jay has over 36 years of local municipal experience. Prior to his retirement from the City of Escondido in 2020, Jay served as that city’s Community Development Director and Assistant City Manager overseeing operations of the city.

Throughout his years as a volunteer, municipal employee, and elected representative, Jay has had the opportunity to listen, learn and appreciate the diverse perspectives of our community. Jay believes in being a team player who is collaborative and results-oriented.

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Jay and his wife Heather have been married for over 34 years and have three children, Aaron, Zachary, and Brooke who were educated in San Marcos public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. Aaron is a Computer Engineer, Zachary is a Chemistry Ph.D. candidate at UC Merced, and Brooke, married to Tyler Karras, earned her B.A. in Visual Arts at CSUSM, and owns and operates a successful on-line graphic design business
in San Marcos.

On November 8, 2022, vote for a dynamic, thriving San Marcos!

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Vote for Jay Petrek in District 2.

(760) 496-8614

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