Tenessa Audette family in Redding, CA

Meet Tenessa

“A strength of being your representative is the opportunity to bring the brightest people, organizations, and solutions to the table to solve problems and bring innovation.”

Tenessa Audette

Hi, I’m Tenessa

I believe government is a necessary institution, not the answer to every problem. Its proper role is to protect liberty, uphold the rule of law, and faithfully carry out the responsibilities entrusted to it. Good leadership requires the wisdom to know the difference between what government should do and what it should leave to families, businesses, churches, and the community.

I believe effective leadership requires wisdom, integrity, experience, and the tenacity to ask the right questions, confront difficult challenges, and pursue principled solutions. That is the approach I bring to public service every day.

I am a wife, mother of three, California native, City Council Member, and Mayor Emeritus of the City of Redding. My experience in local and state government, together with my commitment to protect our God-given rights, is what led me to public service and continues to guide every decision I make.

As a lifelong conservative, I have witnessed many political changes in California, but none as significant as those of the last decade. Those changes have only strengthened my conviction that government must remain accountable to the people, fiscally responsible, and faithful to the constitutional principles that have made our nation strong.

California was forged on the frontier of possibility, inviting generations to come, work hard, and build a better life. My great-grandparents immigrated from Italy through Ellis Island, and my grandmother, at just thirteen years old, journeyed across the country with her seven siblings to begin a new life in California.

I carry her legacy of hope, grit, faith, and perseverance. It reminds me every day that California is worth preserving and that the American Dream remains worth fighting for—not only for our generation, but for those who will follow.

My Background

I earned a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Sonoma State University and have dedicated my career to public service, government, and civic leadership.

Before being elected to the Redding City Council, I spent five years serving as a District Representative in the California State Senate, helping constituents navigate state government, resolve complex issues, and connect with vital public resources.

For more than a decade, I managed political campaigns at the local, state, and congressional levels, working with candidates for City Council, County Supervisor, District Attorney, State Assembly, Congress, and Governor. Those experiences gave me a deep understanding of public policy, leadership, and the importance of accountable government.

Education has always been one of my passions. For six years, I volunteered as an adjunct instructor, teaching constitutional principles and civics because I believe an informed citizenry is essential to preserving liberty and strengthening our communities.

Today, I proudly serve on the Redding City Council and am honored to have served as Mayor of Redding. In addition to my Council responsibilities, I represent our community on eight boards and serve on seven subcommittees/ ad hoc committees. I have been elected by my peers to every ad hoc committee formed during my tenure—a reflection of the trust they place in my preparation, work ethic, and commitment to serving our community.

My Professional Experience:

  • Mayor of Redding

  • CA GOP Nominee for State Assembly

  • District Representative, State Senate 

  • Political Consultant and Campaign Manager

  • Certified RNC Campaign Manager 

  • Board Member Marian Bergeson Excellence in Public Service

  • Republican Central Committee Data Chair 

  • Delegate for the CA GOP & RNC

  • Leadership Redding Steering Committee

  • Adjunct Instructor at BSSM Teaching God and Government

  • Swarm Team Marketing for DeWalt Power Tools

  • Redding Rotary Member

  • Republican Women’s Federated Member

My Values

Integrity

Integrity is doing what is right, even when it is difficult or unpopular. I believe trust is earned through honesty, transparency, and the courage to remain faithful to my principles.

Accuracy

Good decisions require good information. I believe in doing the homework, asking the right questions, verifying the facts, and understanding the issue before casting a vote. I don't simply accept what I'm told—I seek the truth. 

Service

Public office is a responsibility, not a privilege.  I believe government exists to serve the people, and I never forget that every tax dollar entrusted to us belongs to the people who earned it.

Tenacity

I don't shy away from difficult conversations or complex problems. I often joke that I work in the "complaint department" because that's how things get fixed. If something isn't working, I want to know. I believe government should continually improve—not continually grow. I'm committed to finding better, more efficient, and more responsible solutions before asking taxpayers to do more. 

Constitutional Principles

I believe government's role is to protect liberty, uphold the rule of law, and faithfully carry out the responsibilities entrusted to it. I remain committed to limited government, fiscal responsibility, free enterprise, and protecting the constitutional freedoms that make our communities strong.

Humility

Leadership is about doing what's right, not being right. I've often said that serving as an elected official requires every ounce of you, but it can never be about you.

I believe in listening, learning, and admitting when we've gotten it wrong. When mistakes are made, we should take responsibility, apologize, work to make them right whenever possible, and learn from them so we can better serve our community.

If you're ever in doubt about my priorities, just ask me. Serving Redding and its people has always been my guiding purpose.