Antioch, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Antioch City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council District 1 · 1 seat

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

Antioch elects its council by district. Voters in District 1 and District 4 each pick one candidate for their district's seat; the top vote-getter wins. The mayor is elected citywide and is not on this ballot.

2 notes on these statements

Diane Gibson-Gray took out nomination papers for District 1 but did not file them, so the District 1 race is between Tamisha Torres-Walker and Joy Motts. City of Antioch · Aug 10, 2026

City Clerk Michael Mandy is unopposed for the two-year partial City Clerk term on the same ballot. Antioch Herald · Aug 7, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Ron BernalMayor; took office December 20249sourcedDon FreitasMayor Pro Tem and Council Member, District 3; took office December 20249sourcedLouie RochaCouncil Member, District 2; elected November 20249sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz6 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesHomelessness and the Homekey+ project, City budget, HousingKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Vote-by-mail packets mailed out

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Homelessness and the Homekey+ project

Where it standsIn July 2026 the council voted 3-1 to withdraw from a state-funded plan to turn a Mahogany Way hotel into 84 supportive homes, citing the city's ongoing cost.

What's on the tableWhat the city does next on housing and services for unhoused residents, and how much city money it commits.

City budget

Where it standsThe 2026-27 budget closes a $4.6 million General Fund gap with reserve money, and staff project a $15.2 million deficit for 2027-28.

What's on the tableHow to close the 2027-28 gap: which services to cut, which reserves to use and whether to seek new revenue.

Housing

Where it standsThe council shelved an inclusionary housing ordinance in March 2026 and has split on financing apartment projects on commercial infill sites.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt inclusionary housing rules and how to handle housing on commercial sites in the General Plan update.

Police and public safety

Where it standsThe 2026-27 budget funds 105 sworn officers, and the council approved a one-year police contract and new license plate reader technology in 2026.

What's on the tablePolice staffing and pay in future contracts, and how surveillance technology is used and overseen.

Economic development and downtown

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council agreed to re-establish a standalone Economic Development Department and hire a director.

What's on the tableHiring and funding for economic development, and plans for downtown sites such as the former Beede Lumber Yard.

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. Antioch withdrew from a $34.9 million state Homekey+ project to turn a hotel into 84 supportive homes, which needed up to $1.2 million a year from the city. What should the city do on projects like this?

  2. 2. City staff project a $15.2 million General Fund deficit for 2027-28. Where should the city put most of its effort?

  3. 3. In March 2026 the council set aside a proposed inclusionary housing ordinance, a rule requiring affordable homes in new developments, until the General Plan update. What should happen next?

  4. 4. The 2026-27 budget funds 105 sworn police officers, with a target of 117 by mid-2028. What should the city do?

  5. 5. Antioch has gone without a separate economic development department. How should the city staff that work?

  6. 6. Some candidates want a tax on commercial properties left empty for long periods. Should Antioch ask voters to approve one?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Ron Bernal, Don Freitas, Louie Rocha2 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

  • The council has five members: a mayor elected citywide and four council members elected by district, all to four-year terms. City of Antioch
  • The council selects a vice mayor for a one-year term. City of Antioch
  • The Nov. 3, 2026 election fills the District 1 and District 4 council seats and a two-year partial term for City Clerk. City of Antioch
  • The council appoints the city manager and the city attorney. City of Antioch

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