Benicia, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Benicia City Council · Nov 3, 2026

Kari Birdseye

Candidate for City Council (incumbent)

3 candidates · 2 seats12 sourced positions

Kari Birdseye, the incumbent, is running for Benicia City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 3 candidates are running for 2 seats.

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In-person early voting with vote-by-mail ballots begins at the elections office · Mon, Oct 5, 2026

Today

Benicia councilmember, former Planning Commission chair and former CNN journalist. She was elected to the council in 2022.

Occupation (from candidate statement)
Incumbent
Campaign website
www.votekaribirdseye.com

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Three candidates are running for two City Council seats: incumbents Terry Scott and Kari Birdseye, and Justin Zollars. The Vallejo Sun · Sep 16, 2026

The Vallejo Sun reports Terry Scott and Kari Birdseye were both elected in 2022. The Vallejo Sun · Sep 16, 2026

Where Kari Birdseye stands: positions on the record

Flock cameras2 sourced positions
Business license tax (Measure X)2 sourced positions

  • as reported by The Vallejo Sun

    Supports Measure X, a business license tax update; says about 1,800 small businesses would not pay.

    “The business tax initiative is going to ensure that some 1,800 small businesses will not pay anything and that businesses that want to come to Benicia are taxed fairly and properly”

    Own statementThe Vallejo Sun · Sep 16, 2026

  • Voted yes to place Measure X, the business license tax update, on the Nov. 2026 ballot (passed 5-0, July 2026).

    Council voteBenicia City Council minutes, July 21, 2026 · Jul 21, 2026

Property transfer tax (Measure Z)2 sourced positions

  • as reported by The Vallejo Sun

    Supports Measure Z, a real property transfer tax aimed at new development.

    “that’s about ensuring that all of this new development pays the fair proper tax to Benicia, so the city can fund infrastructure and public services for these new parts of our community.”

    Own statementThe Vallejo Sun · Sep 16, 2026

  • Voted yes on the resolution placing Measure Z, the real property transfer tax, on the Nov. 2026 ballot (passed 4-1, Aug. 2026).

    Council voteBenicia City Council minutes, Aug. 4, 2026 (draft) · Aug 4, 2026

Data centers1 sourced position

  • as reported by The Vallejo Sun; not a direct quote

    Supports a temporary moratorium on data centers, saying there is not enough understanding of the impacts.

    Own statementThe Vallejo Sun · Sep 16, 2026

Housing2 sourced positions
Budget1 sourced position
Industrial safety2 sourced positions

What Kari Birdseye said vs. how Kari Birdseye voted

Flock cameras

In their words

  • Says the city should consider reevaluating its relationship with Flock in the next few months.

    Sep 16, 2026 ·as reported by The Vallejo Sun; not a direct quote ·The Vallejo Sun · Sep 16, 2026

On the record

Housing

In their words

On the record

Also running for City Council

All 3 Benicia candidates →

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