2026 San Diego City Council election

2026 San Diego City Council election
November 3, 2026 (2026-11-03)
4 of the 9 seats on the San Diego City Council
 
Party Democratic
Current seats 9
Incumbent Council President

Joe LaCava
Democratic



The 2026 San Diego City Council election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.[1] Four of the nine seats on the San Diego City Council are contested.

Municipal elections in California are officially non-partisan, although most members do identify a party preference. A two-round system will be used for the election, starting with a primary in June followed by a runoff in November between the top-two candidates in each district.

Background

Seats in San Diego City Council districts 2, 4, 6, and 8 are up for election in 2026.[1] Incumbents Henry Foster III (District 4) and Kent Lee (District 6) are seeking re-election, while Jennifer Campbell (District 2) and Vivian Moreno (District 8) are ineligible for re-election due to term limits.[2]

Major election issues include budget shortfalls,[3][4] homelessness,[5] parking fees,[6][7][8] rising cost of living,[9] and housing affordability,[10][11] part of a broader housing crisis statewide.

District 2

District 2 consists of the communities of Clairemont, Midway, Mission Beach, Mission Bay Park, Ocean Beach, Old Town, and Point Loma.

Democratic incumbent Jennifer Campbell is ineligible for re-election due to term limits. Fifteen candidates have filed or declared to run for the seat as of March 4, 2026.[1]

Candidates

Declared

  • Richard Bailey, former mayor of Coronado, California (2016–2024)[12][13]
  • Michael Blow[1]
  • Leisa A. Bockenhauser[1]
  • Josh Coyne, former aide to councilmember Jennifer Campbell[2]
  • Nicole Crosby, deputy city attorney[2]
  • Mandy Havlik, community activist[2]
  • Sandra Kay[1]
  • Jacob J. Mitchell[1]
  • Linda A. Lukacs, dentist[2]
  • Jacob J. Mitchell[1]
  • Mark B. Potocki[1]
  • Nicole A. Quillin[1]
  • Michael Rickey[1]
  • Daniel Smiechowski[14]
  • Paul Suppa[1]
  • Eric Tims[1]

Publicly expressed interest

Endorsements

Josh Coyne

State legislators

Local officials

Organizations

Labor unions

  • AFSCME Local 127[17] (dual endorsed with Nicole Crosby)
Nicole Crosby

Statewide officials

State legislators

Local officials

Organizations

Labor unions

Mandy Havlik

Organizations

District 4

District 4 consists of the communities of Alta Vista, Broadway Heights, Chollas View, Emerald Hills, Encanto, Greater Skyline Hills, Jamacha, Lincoln Park, Lomita Village, North Bay Terrace, Oak Park, O'Farrell, Paradise Hills, Redwood Village, Rolando Park, South Bay Terrace, Valencia Park, and Webster.

Democratic incumbent Henry Foster III is seeking re-election to a second term. Five additional candidates have filed to run for the seat as of March 4, 2026.[1]

Candidates

Declared

  • Martha Abraham, community activist[20]
  • Johnny Lee Dang[1]
  • Henry L. Foster III, San Diego city councilmember from the 4th district (2023–present)[21]
  • Mykel Gadson[1]
  • Erik Ibarra[1]
  • Tylisa D. Suseberry[1]

Withdrawn

Endorsements

Henry Foster III

Statewide officials

State legislators

Local officials

  • Patricia Dillard, La Mesa city councilmember[25]
  • Sean Elo-Rivera, former president of the San Diego city council (2021-2024), San Diego city councilmember from the 9th district (2020–present)[25]
  • Joe LaCava, president of the San Diego city council (2024–present), San Diego city councilmember from the 1st district (2020–present)[25]
  • Kent Lee, president pro tem of the San Diego city council (2024–present), San Diego city councilmember from the 6th district (2022–present)[25]
  • Monica Montgomery Steppe, San Diego County Supervisor from the 4th district (2023–present)[25]
  • Vivian Moreno, San Diego city councilmember from the 8th district (2020–present)[25]

Labor unions

District 6

District 6 consists of the communities of Clairemont Mesa, Kearny Mesa, Mira Mesa, Mission Valley, North Clairemont, and Rancho Peñasquitos.

Democratic incumbent Kent Lee is seeking re-election to a second term. Three additional candidates have filed to run for the seat as of March 4, 2026.[1]

Declared

  • Bea Bautista[1]
  • Jane L. Glasson[1]
  • Kent F. Lee, San Diego city councilmember from the 6th district (2022–present)[1]
  • Mark Powell[1]

Endorsements

Kent Lee

Labor unions

District 8

District 8 consists of the southern communities of San Diego and those along the Mexico–United States border, including the communities of Barrio Logan, Egger Highlands, Grant Hill, Logan Heights, Memorial, Nestor, Ocean View Hills, Otay Mesa West, Otay Mesa East, San Ysidro, Sherman Heights, Stockton, and Tijuana River Valley.

Democratic incumbent Vivian Moreno is ineligible for re-election due to term limits. Eight candidates have filed to run for the seat as of March 4, 2026.[1]

Candidates

Declared

  • Omar Araiza[1]
  • Antonio Martinez, member of the San Ysidro School District Board of Education (2012–present)[2]
  • Francisco A. Mayoral Munoz[1]
  • Venus Molina, chief of staff to San Diego city councilmember Jennifer Campbell[2]
  • Miguel M. Ochoa[1]
  • Kenia A. Peraza[1]
  • Rafael Perez, real estate agent[2]
  • Gerardo Ramirez, chief of staff to San Diego city councilmember Vivian Moreno[2]

Endorsements

Antonio Martinez

State legislators

Local officials

Organizations

  • San Ysidro Education Association[26]
Rafael Perez

Local officials

Organizations

  • Democratic Women's Club of San Diego County[27]
  • Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors[27]
Venus Molina

State legislators

Local officials

  • Stephen Whitburn, San Diego city councilmember from the 3rd district (2020–present)[29]

Labor unions

  • AFSCME Local 127[17] (dual endorsed with Gerardo Ramirez)
Gerardo Ramirez

Labor unions

Council president

Following the election, the city council will select the president of the city council. The current council president is Joe LaCava, serving since 2025.[31]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "2026 Election Information". Office of the City Clerk. San Diego, CA. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Garrick, David (April 6, 2025). "The election is 19 months away, but these two San Diego races are already crowded". San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, CA. Retrieved October 11, 2025.(subscription required)
  3. ^ Bowen, Andrew (December 19, 2025). "San Diego enters 2026 with worsening budget deficit". KPBS. San Diego, CA. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  4. ^ Bowen, Andrew (January 9, 2026). "Parking, water, budget woes loom as San Diego City Council reconvenes in 2026". KPBS. San Diego, CA. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  5. ^ City News Team (July 17, 2025). "Unsheltered Homelessness Downtown Continues to Decline as City of San Diego Remains Steady in Providing Services and Clearing Unsafe Encampments". Inside San Diego. San Diego, CA. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  6. ^ Garrick, David (February 15, 2026). "It's not just Balboa Park. New parking meters across San Diego face a fierce backlash". San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego, CA. Retrieved February 17, 2026.(subscription required)
  7. ^ Carroll, John (January 12, 2026). "Pressure builds on San Diego city officials to scrap parking fees in Balboa Park". KPBS. San Diego, CA. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  8. ^ City News Service (January 7, 2026). "Now, downtown paid parking under fire; councilman proposes steep cuts". NBC 7 San Diego. San Diego, CA. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  9. ^ Fleming, Omari (October 7, 2025). "Report shows 31% of San Diego County households are struggling to make ends meet". NBC 7 San Diego. San Diego, CA. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  10. ^ Ross, Bella (July 30, 2025). "San Diego 101: Why Is It so Hard to Build Housing?". Voice of San Diego. San Diego, CA. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  11. ^ Abramsky, Sasha (April 4, 2024). "Soaring Rents in San Diego Pricing Out Working Class". San Diego Magazine. San Diego, CA. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  12. ^ Balc, Tessa (February 19, 2026). "Former mayor of Coronado announces run for San Diego City Council". Times of San Diego. San Diego, CA. Retrieved February 24, 2026.
  13. ^ Balc, Tessa (December 5, 2025). "Coronado's former mayor moved to San Diego. He's acting a lot like someone running for something". Times of San Diego. San Diego, CA.
  14. ^ Smiechowski, Daniel (January 16, 2025). "Opinion: Why I'm Running for San Diego City Council at 71 Despite Many Failed Attempts". Times of San Diego. San Diego, CA. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d OB Rag Staff Report (December 2, 2025). "San Diego District 2 City Council Candidates: Follow the Money". OB Rag. San Diego, CA. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  16. ^ a b c "Endorsements". Josh Coyne for San Diego City Council. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Endorsements (2026)". AFSCME Local 127. San Diego, CA. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Endorsements". Nicole Crosby for City Council D2. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  19. ^ OB Rag Staff Report (January 27, 2026). "Point Loma and OB Democrats Endorse Mandy Havlik for District 2 of San Diego City Council". OB Rag. San Diego, CA. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  20. ^ Abraham, Martha (July 18, 2025). "'We can't keep living like this.' Martha Abraham Announces Run for District 4 City Council Seat Against Henry Foster". OB Rag. San Diego, CA. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  21. ^ Mariana Martínez Barba (October 3, 2025). "Now up for Re-Election, Councilmember Faces Past Firing from City He Now Helps Lead". Voice of San Diego. San Diego, CA. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  22. ^ Ponce, Chris (September 5, 2025). "Mathew Gordon announces campaign for San Diego City Council District 4". Fox 5/KUSI News. San Diego, CA. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  23. ^ Jennewein, Chris (September 5, 2025). "Mathew Gordon to run against Henry Foster III in Council District 4". Times of San Diego. San Diego, CA. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  24. ^ Mathew Gordon (November 24, 2025). "After many meaningful conversations and honest reflection, I've decided to end my campaign for City Council in 2026. I'm grateful to everyone who believed in the vision and supported the work. It simply wasn't my time and that's okay. I'll still be in the community, present as always, so catch me in the streets living my best life with my best friend, my Wife!". Facebook. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Endorsements". Re-Elect Henry Foster III for City Council District 4. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  26. ^ a b c d e f "Endorsements". Elect Antonio Martinez San Diego City Council. Retrieved October 11, 2025.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h "Endorsements". Rafael Perez for San Diego City Council. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  28. ^ @venusmolinaforcd8; (September 24, 2025). "Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins Proudly Endorses Venus Molina". Retrieved October 11, 2025 – via Instagram.
  29. ^ @venusmolinaforcd8; (October 8, 2025). "Councilmember Stephen Whitburn Proudly Endorses Venus Molina". Retrieved October 11, 2025 – via Instagram.
  30. ^ @gerardoramirezsd; (December 15, 2025). "I'm honored to share that Carpenters Local 619 has officially endorsed our campaign for San Diego City Council District 8!". Retrieved January 27, 2026 – via Instagram.
  31. ^ Garrick, David (December 10, 2024). "Joe LaCava named San Diego City Council president by colleagues". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 11, 2025. (subscription required)

Official campaign websites

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