About
Meet Laura Freese
Board President, Santa Margarita Water District · Division 4
Elected 2022
SMWD Board, Division 4
Small Business Owner
UCSB & Robert Morris
BA Political Science · MS Taxation
Bio
Laura Freese was elected to the Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors in 2022 and currently serves as Board President and Chair of the Finance Committee. She previously chaired the Engineering, Operations, and Water Quality Committee and the Strategic Communication Committee.
Prior to joining the SMWD Board, Laura served on the San Juan Capistrano City Council from 2008 to 2012, where she championed economic development and represented the city on key regional water agencies — including as Vice Chair of the San Juan Basin Authority, a member of the South Orange County Wastewater Authority, and the South Orange County Watershed Management Area. She played a pivotal role in supporting the 2018 annexation of San Juan Capistrano's water utility by SMWD, which successfully integrated city operations into the District in 2021.
A longtime San Juan Capistrano resident and local business owner, Laura is a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship and small businesses and also serves as a Board Member for the Urban Water Institute.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master of Science in Taxation from Robert Morris University. Her unique combination of public service, water policy experience, and business acumen helps her bring practical, results-oriented leadership to the Board.
Why I'm Running
I'm running for re-election to the Santa Margarita Water District Board because I've seen what strong, collaborative leadership can achieve when we put our community's water future first. As a San Juan Capistrano resident who helped bring our city's water system into SMWD, I know how critical it is to have directors who understand both local needs and regional solutions.
Since joining the Board in 2022 and now serving as President, I've focused on operational excellence, transparent communication, and advancing practical infrastructure projects that strengthen reliability for every customer. With my background on the City Council, regional water boards, and as a small business owner, I'm committed to keeping rates fair, infrastructure modern and reliable, and decision-making open — so our families and businesses can thrive in a water-secure South Orange County.
— Laura Freese