I’m always delighted to see a professional colleague jump into a political campaign and Cara Stewart, a longtime communications professional and former journalist with the OC Register has announced her candidacy for the Costa Mesa City Council District 3. She’s a Democrat but did one of the best non-partisan candidacy annoucements I’ve ever seen.
Here’s what she posted:
Cara R. Stewart is a master of persuasion and strategic influence. As the Founder & CEO of WunderMarx, The Persuasion Agency, she helps executives, investors, and brands shape narratives, build trust, and drive action in high-stakes environments.
A former journalist turned communication strategist, Cara’s expertise spans public relations, public affairs, crisis communications, and brand marketing. She has launched more than 30 companies, advised CEOs and boardrooms, and built award-winning brands that don’t just speak—they persuade.
She first made her mark as a staff writer for the Orange County Register before stepping into the corporate world, leading corporate and strategic communications for industry giants like Ingram Micro, Toshiba America Information Systems, and the City of Anaheim Public Utilities. Seeing a gap in how companies positioned themselves for influence, she founded WunderMarx, a top-ranked communications agency dedicated to high-growth companies and emerging leaders. The agency quickly became one of Orange County’s largest and most recognized PR firms, earning accolades for its bold, impact-driven strategies. The original WunderMarx also earned recognition as one of the best places to work.
Beyond WunderMarx, Cara has played a pivotal role in brand-building, advocacy, and leadership, co-founding MyJane, the first premium, curated cannabis service for women, which led to a successful acquisition within a year. She later spearheaded marketing, communications and investor relations for ManifestSeven’s public listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange—a defining moment in California’s cannabis economy.
Cara’s commitment to impact extends to her board leadership and advocacy work. She is a member of the Board of Advisors for Boardvance and was elected as the 2025 Chair of the Costa Mesa Democratic Club. She also serves on the Board of Governors for the Irvine Valley College Foundation and has been appointed by the Costa Mesa City Council to its Animal Services Committee.
At WunderMarx, Cara leads with one simple mission: to turn communication into persuasion and help brands, organizations and leaders not just tell their story—but own their influence.
Personally, the Cara I know has a reputation for honesty, strong professional ethics, and personal integrity. She’s going to be an excellent candidate and an even better council member.
I have known Cara for 30+ years. We actually went to community college together and worked on the award-winning Fullerton College Weekly Hornet. I’m excited to see her get more involved.