Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Duarte City Council Election 2026

1 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 1

2 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 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

Margaret E. FinlayIncumbentDuarte District 1 councilmember who says she has served as councilmember and mayor for 35 years. Her campaign site lists a master's degree in public administration.8sourced
Luz Yesenia PaezDuarte Planning and Economic Development Commissioner who was appointed to the commission in 2024. She says she was appointed a Traffic and Safety Commissioner in 2022 and was recognized as Woman of the Year in Public Service by Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio.5sourced

One of the seven council seats, District 1, is on the ballot, decided by voters in that district. Districts 4, 5 and 6 were filled without a vote when only incumbents qualified.

2 notes on these statements

Only the District 1 council seat is on the November 3, 2026 ballot, with Margaret E. Finlay and Luz Yesenia Paez running. City of Duarte · Sep 29, 2026

Districts 4, 5 and 6 were filled by council Resolution No. 26-25 on August 18, 2026 because only incumbents Tera Martin Del Campo, Samuel Kang and Cesar A. Garcia qualified; their terms expire in December 2030. City of Duarte · Sep 29, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Martin CalderonCouncilmember, District 2; elected November 2024 to a four-year term5sourced Tera Martin Del CampoCouncilmember, District 4; term ends December 20303sourced Cesar A. GarciaCouncilmember, District 6; term ends December 20305sourced Samuel KangCouncilmember, District 5; term ends December 20303sourced Toney LewisCouncilmember, District 7; elected November 2024 to a four-year term4sourced Vinh TruongCouncilmember, District 3; elected November 2024 to a four-year term5sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesNew housing and SB 79, Animal control services, Attracting retail and business Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote

Mon, Oct 19, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

New housing and SB 79

Where it standsThe council approved the Andres Duarte School site project in September 2025 and in July 2026 hired a consultant to draft a state-required SB 79 overlay zone.

What's on the tableWhere and how much housing the SB 79 overlay zone allows near the A Line station, and future housing and rezoning proposals.

On September 23, 2025 the council voted 5-1, with one abstention, to approve the Andres Duarte School project and certify its environmental impact report. Duarte City Council minutes, Sept. 23, 2025 (in Oct. 14, 2025 agenda packet) · Sep 23, 2025
SB 79 took effect July 1, 2026 and requires that very high density residential development be permitted within a quarter mile of A Line Station access points in Duarte. Duarte City Council agenda packet, July 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026

Animal control services

Where it standsThe council approved a five-year Pasadena Humane agreement that began July 1, 2026, replacing the city's hybrid model.

What's on the tableHow the transition performs, including licensing, and whether to adjust animal services in the future.

The Year 1 Pasadena Humane contract cost is $7,792 per month, or $93,504 annually. Duarte City Council agenda packet, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
On June 9, 2026 the council voted 6-0, with one member absent, on a consent calendar that included the five-year Pasadena Humane agreement. Duarte City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 (in June 23, 2026 agenda packet) · Jun 9, 2026

Attracting retail and business

Where it standsThe council hired The Retail Coach in July 2026 and the Vallarta Supermarket opening is expected in October.

What's on the tableHow the city recruits retailers, handles vacant properties and spends economic development funds.

On July 14, 2026 the council voted 6-0 to approve a professional services agreement with The Retail Coach, LLC for retail recruitment consulting. Duarte City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 (in July 28, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 14, 2026
The Community Development Director said the anticipated Vallarta Supermarket opening remains within October. Duarte City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 (in July 28, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 14, 2026

Trail lighting and public safety

Where it standsThe council approved added lights for the Donald and Bernice Watson trail in September 2026 and bought locking lids for electric pull boxes in July 2026.

What's on the tableFunding for trail lighting and protection against theft, and how to pay for public safety services.

On September 8, 2026 the council voted 5-0, with two members absent, to proceed with a $294,000 change order for 20 additional pedestrian lights on the trail. Duarte City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 (in Sept. 22, 2026 agenda packet) · Sep 8, 2026
At the September 8, 2026 meeting the City Manager announced that Senator Rubio's advocacy helped the city secure $300,000 in state funding to light the trail. Duarte City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 (in Sept. 22, 2026 agenda packet) · Sep 8, 2026
On July 28, 2026 the council voted 7-0 to buy 64 locking security electric pull box lids for $84,864. Duarte City Council minutes, July 28, 2026 (in Aug. 25, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 28, 2026

Communicating with residents

Where it standsThe council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, and a social media policy amendment was on its September 22, 2026 agenda.

What's on the tableHow the city informs residents and takes their input.

City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 1600 Huntington Drive. City of Duarte
The September 22, 2026 agenda listed adoption of proposed amendments to the city's Social Media Policy as a business item. Duarte City Council agenda packet, Sept. 22, 2026 · Sep 22, 2026

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. How should Duarte handle new housing, including on former school land and near the A Line station?
2. How should Duarte provide animal shelter and animal control services?
3. How should Duarte attract new retail businesses?
4. How much should Duarte invest in public safety services?
5. How should the council reach and hear from residents?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed and drop boxes openCity of Duarte · Sep 29, 2026Oct 1, 2026
Last day to register to voteCity of Duarte · Sep 29, 2026Oct 19, 2026
Select vote centers openCity of Duarte · Sep 29, 2026Oct 24, 2026
All vote centers openCity of Duarte · Sep 29, 2026Oct 31, 2026
Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)City of Duarte · Sep 29, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

6 stay (not up this year): Martin Calderon, Tera Martin Del Campo, Cesar A. Garcia, Samuel Kang, Toney Lewis, Vinh Truong1 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

Councilmembers are elected to four-year terms. City of Duarte · Dec 11, 2024
Councilmembers choose the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem from among themselves, and each serves a one-year term. City of Duarte · Dec 10, 2025

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