All Hail the 2025 Mayor
Dec 17, 2024 04:04PM ● By Susan Maxwell Skinner, photos by Susan Maxwell Skinner
Carmichael Chamber of Commerce supporters celebrate the appointment of the community’s honorary mayor. Dr Kawanaa Carter (center in patterned sweater) is announced winner for 2025.
CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - The Carmichael 2025 Honorary Mayor is UC Davis neurosurgeon Kawanaa Carter.
The Carmichael Chamber of Commerce recently announced her election during a champagne celebration at the Milagro Centre.
Dr Kawanaa Carter (third from front left) will take on Carmichael’s Honorary Mayoral duties in January. She is joined by former Honorary Mayor Izzy DeLancey (front left) current Honorary Mayor Miranda Viani, former Honorary Mayor Kerri Mandes, Chamber of Commerce President Rosie Buck and Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Betty Bowles. Back row are Chamber of Commerce director Brad Sanborn, Carmichael Park Board member Joel Levine and Chamber of Commerce director Dale Lorzo.
Achieving a financial landslide, Dr. Carter raised $20,500, more than her four rivals raised all together.
“I’m proud of all our 2025 candidates,” Chamber of Commerce President Rosie Buck told supporters. “Being in the mayoral race takes so much hard work and commitment. You’ve all helped your community’s charities and the chamber.”
The campaign process this year shared funds at the rate of 75 percent for candidates’ favorite nonprofit organizations and the remainder for the chamber. The August-to-November contest counted each donated dollar as a vote. Put bluntly, the winner with the most cash got the sash. Carter last week ordered her 2024 model.
Dr Kawanaa Carter (fourth from left) will take on the Carmichael honorary mayor role in January. She is flanked by former Honorary Mayor Izzy DeLancey (left) 2024 Honorary Mayor Miranda Viani, former Honorary Mayor Kerri Mandes and participating candidates Mikhaila Freas and Celia Surridge.
“Thank you all for working so hard,” Carter told her rivals. “I hope we’ll work together in future for the benefit of our charities.”
Continuing a Michigan and California career in neurological research, Carter now practices at UC Davis. Her campaign fundraising boosted Infinite Giving, a charity she began five years ago. The foundation’s focus is helping the unhoused, and disadvantaged women and children.
The new honorary mayor campaigned against a private school staffer and three business owners. Rivals were Mikhaila Freas who supported Carmichael HART’s work for the homeless community; Shelby Glass boosted the Victory Christian School; Celia Surridge benefited Joshua’s House Hospice; and Tony Myers helped the San Juan Education Foundation.
Mayoral victor Dr. Kawanaa Carter is congratulated by husband, attorney Robert Buccola.
The victor will undertake a year of showing the sash at civic occasions. Carter will cut ribbons, plant trees and judge dog shows. The honorary mayor is also enlisted to sit on the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce board. She anticipates all with enthusiasm.
“I want to thank my husband (Sacramento attorney Robert Buccola) for bringing me to live in Carmichael,” Honorary Mayor Carter told Chamber supporters. “I’m looking forward to serving this community.”
