Serve the Community. Safety Today. Green Future.
Common-sense leadership for a stronger Concord.
A Word from Don Seta
I come from a family of immigrants, who started with nothing. Just when they started to prosper, they were interned during WWII and had to start all over again. For them, hard work and a community that looked out for one another weren’t ideals — they were a way of life. I deeply understand the responsibility of community leaders to care for every resident in the community, with priority to those who need it the most.
Get to Know Don
Where I come from, being neighborly matters. I was born in Concord when my father farmed, and rows of fruit trees and vegetables outnumbered the neighbors. Our street was named after our neighbor, Mrs. Stimel. Walking home after school, we would stop at her house, and she fed us chicken soup. Concord is a place where neighbors look out for one another. Beyond Concord, I remember America cared for its neighbors and was respected by the entire world.
We are all immigrants, unless we descend from the Chupcan people — the original residents of Concord. My mother immigrated from Japan. She’s now 96 and a U.S. citizen, but like many in our community, she has fears. That’s why I serve on the Rapid Response team of the Concord Immigration Protection Network (CIPN). We work to ensure that anyone detained has their rights respected and their family notified.
Old-School Values. My mother raised me with traditional principles — work hard, be humble, and never expect a handout. She believed in personal responsibility, strong families, and respecting the dignity of honest labor. Those values didn’t end with her; they’ve carried through with me, my children, and now my grandchildren. These values apply to Concord local government as well — to be accountable to taxpayers and avoid wasting their hard‑earned dollars.
About Me. Sometimes, I’m not the smartest person in the room — and when I’m not, I find them, earn their trust and turn them into allies or advisors. And I’m fearless. I’m not afraid to ask stupid questions, or challenge the emperor when he is naked. My courage comes from knowing I fight for those in need.
A book I appreciate is Black Cat 2‑1, where Bob Ford describes the fulfillment he found as an Army helicopter pilot serving his fellow soldiers with supplies and evacuations. His story reinforces a simple truth for me: real satisfaction comes from service.
Credentials and Civic Leadership Roles
Platform Priorities
“The test of our progress is… whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” — Harry Truman
I believe in responsible, fiscally disciplined city spending and in keeping District 3 fully informed about how and why decisions are made. I am equally committed to protecting our community and fostering an environment where opportunity is available to everyone. I intend to represent the needs of the constituents of District 3 and contribute to Concord's future.
The first duty of local government is to ensure the safety of its residents. District 3 families deserve timely emergency response and neighborhoods where people feel secure. I support Concord police, fire, and emergency services. These professionals put themselves at risk for our protection and deserve our support. Crisis preparedness can always improve, and I’m ready to champion that work. We can also strengthen pedestrian safety along our busiest streets — especially the Monument corridor — so people feel comfortable and confident moving through their own community.
Our parks are the living rooms of our neighborhoods — where children play, seniors walk, and families gather. Starting with Lake Ellis, regular maintenance is a must. I will fight to protect green space and upgrade park amenities in District 3. We also owe it to our children to leave the planet better than we found it.
Green also signifies prosperity, starting with education. My Mexican Japanese American grandchildren have taught me an important lesson — Concord's strength lies in its brilliant, ambitious, multicultural youth. If District 3 schools are struggling, it's not the kids.
Core Values
Get Involved
District 3 wins when neighbors show up for each other. Tell us how you'd like to help, and we'll follow up.
I was born in Concord, and I grew up watching my parents work to strengthen our community. I want to carry that tradition forward and help build a city government committed to safe neighborhoods & streets, and vibrant parks. And we need to balance the budget.