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Cassandra Abram returned to Turlock to practice optometry, then won a council seat in her hometown. Her first term has brought votes on housing, homeless services, cannabis regulation and fire administration. Several of those decisions split the council; others changed substantially before the final vote.
Abram represents District 3 and is seeking another term in the November 3, 2026 election. The city’s verified nominations list identifies Ryan Taylor as her opponent. Taylor also competed for the seat in 2022, when four candidates were on the ballot.
An optometrist working in her hometown
Born and raised in Turlock, Abram studied biological science at the University of the Pacific, completing the degree in three years, then attended Southern California College of Optometry. Generations Family Optometry lists her as Cassandra Abram, OD, and describes her return to patient care alongside council service and raising two daughters.
The 2022 election
Abram won 2,441 votes, or 47.4 percent, according to the state’s final election report. Kelly Higgins received 1,731, Taylor 703 and Ramin Odisho 279. She succeeded Andrew Nosrati, who did not seek reelection, and took office December 13, 2022.
We Care: a service agreement and a grant
The January 23, 2024 minutes record Abram’s vote against ending the Navigation Center pilot operated through We Care. Kevin Bixel also voted no; the motion passed 3–2. It ended the city’s particular pilot agreement, a different issue from the organization’s nighttime shelter and its subsequent grant requests.
Abram supported a $1 city contribution toward We Care’s state-grant proposal, a dispute covered in April 2025. Journal report.
On February 24, 2026, county supervisors awarded We Care $427,808. The Journal’s later report explains that state guidance removed the municipal-match requirement for emergency shelters. That county funding for 2026–27 followed a different process from the city proposal she had supported the year before.
Housing: support after traffic changes
Abram voted for the 114-home project replacing the strawberry-growing property on West Monte Vista Avenue on February 11, 2025. The Journal’s report describes concerns about traffic and a second access point added during review. Abram said the developer’s changes addressed some safety and circulation concerns. The project passed 3–1, with Phillips opposed and Monez absent.
Cannabis policy and city revenue
On June 25, 2024, Abram supported putting a cannabis business tax on the November ballot. It failed 3–2. The Journal reported that the proposed 10 percent limit would have been a ceiling, with subsequent decisions determining the actual rate. Abram argued that continuing to rely on individual development agreements created administrative problems. This was a vote to let residents decide on a tax framework, rather than enact a 10 percent levy that night.
Abram continues to appear on the city’s cannabis committee roster with Bixel and two planning commissioners. That committee’s work gives residents another place to follow proposed changes before they reach the full council.
Fire services: opposition, then a revised agreement
On March 24, 2026, Abram and Bixel opposed directing staff to negotiate a renewed fire administration agreement with Modesto. The motion passed 3–2 and included a citizen advisory committee with a union representative. The March Journal report documents the disagreement over retaining the partnership or taking an independent approach.
Abram voted for the revised agreement May 26, when it passed unanimously. She acknowledged her earlier opposition and said the negotiated version was better. Reading both actions gives a fuller account of her position than the March split alone.
Business incentives and her 2026 priorities
Abram opposed the development-fee incentive adopted March 10, 2026. The Journal reported that she questioned whether its implementation would be fair and produce benefits for the city. The proposal passed 3–2 and provides eligible projects a 25 percent reduction in capital facilities fees.
On her campaign’s housing page, she proposes quicker permitting, infrastructure that keeps pace with residential growth and earlier neighborhood input. Those are stated priorities for another term, distinct from the specific housing approval described above.
Her infrastructure platform calls for recurring road and sidewalk funding, safer connections to schools, improvements at dangerous intersections and closer attention to project delivery. Her community platform proposes broader neighborhood outreach and clearer communication about city spending and contracts. These are campaign commitments that residents can compare with subsequent budgets and decisions.
Contact and follow her work
Abram’s public council email is cabram@turlock.ca.us. Find your district on the official map and follow the council’s agendas and recordings. City Hall is at 156 S. Broadway, Turlock. Our local representatives guide explains where her office fits among the city, county and other public agencies.
Compare the mayor’s record and the other current councilmember profiles.
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