El Cajon Mayor · Nov 3, 2026

Bill Wells

Candidate for Mayor (incumbent)

5 candidates · 2 seats14 sourced positions

Bill Wells, the incumbent, is running for mayor of El Cajon in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Alexander Kraft.

Ballots start going out · Mon, Oct 5, 2026

Today

Mayor of El Cajon since 2013 and a mental health professional in clinical and administrative roles. He was first elected to the City Council in 2008 and served on the Planning Commission from 2004 to 2008.

Occupation (from candidate statement): Mayor of El Cajon
Campaign website: www.votebillwells.com

The Republican Party of San Diego County endorsed Bill Wells and Chuck Kaye. KPBS · Sep 30, 2026

Bill Wells did not respond to KPBS interview requests for its guide to the mayoral race. KPBS · Oct 1, 2026

A Voice of San Diego debate between Bill Wells and Alexander Kraft set for Oct. 3, 2026 was canceled; the outlet said it would host a conversation with Alexander Kraft instead. Voice of San Diego · Sep 21, 2026

Where Bill Wells stands: positions on the record

Immigration resolution2 sourced positions

As reported by KPBS
Said the resolution does not ask police to break the law and states the council's view that federal law supersedes state law.
“We're not asking our police officers to break the law. What we did was we voiced our opinion that the federal law supersedes the state law. That's it.”
Own statementKPBS · Oct 1, 2026
Moved to assert the city's intent to comply with federal immigration law to the extent permissible under SB 54 (failed 2-3, Jan. 2025).
Council voteEl Cajon City Council minutes, Jan. 28, 2025 · Jan 28, 2025

SB 54 lawsuit1 sourced position

As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune; not a direct quote
Voted to pursue the city's lawsuit challenging California's sanctuary law, SB 54 (passed 3-2, April 2026).
Council voteSan Diego Union-Tribune · Apr 29, 2026

Taxes1 sourced position

Says he opposes any new taxes on El Cajon families.
“Not one more tax on the backs of El Cajon families.”
Own statementBill Wells campaign site

Budget1 sourced position

Seconded adoption of the 2026-27 budget with an $800,000 reduction in the Fire Department (passed 4-1, June 2026).
Council voteEl Cajon City Council minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026

Council pay1 sourced position

As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune; not a direct quote
Voted against a 5% cost-of-living pay raise for the mayor and council (rejected unanimously, July 2026).
Council voteSan Diego Union-Tribune · Jul 16, 2026

Cannabis dispensaries1 sourced position

As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune; not a direct quote
Said he opposes allowing dispensaries, citing patients he saw with marijuana-induced psychosis as a clinician.
Own statementSan Diego Union-Tribune · Feb 25, 2026

Homelessness1 sourced position

Backs mandated mental health and addiction treatment, transitional housing and family reunification for homeless people.
“Treatment, not tents. Accountability, not excuses.”
Own statementBill Wells campaign site

License plate cameras2 sourced positions

As reported by KPBS
Called the attorney general's lawsuit over the city's license plate data sharing a political stunt.
“Let's be clear — this is nothing more than a political stunt and an attempt to bully a conservative city for standing up for public safety”
Own statementKPBS · Oct 1, 2026
Stated at a council meeting that the city is not breaking the law by sharing license plate reader data.
Own statementEl Cajon City Council minutes, Oct. 14, 2025 · Oct 14, 2025

Kaiser property1 sourced position

Moved to direct staff to report on options for the vacant Kaiser Permanente property, including legal options (passed 4-0, July 2026).
Council voteEl Cajon City Council minutes, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026

Public safety1 sourced position

Calls public safety his top responsibility and says he will fight to hire more officers.
“Public safety is my number one responsibility.”
Own statementBill Wells campaign site

Past candidacy2 sourced positions

Ran for Mayor of El Cajon in 2022 (won).
Own statementSan Diego County Registrar of Voters · Nov 8, 2022
Ran for U.S. Representative, 51st District, in 2024 as a Republican candidate (lost).
Own statementSan Diego County Registrar of Voters · Nov 5, 2024

Also running for Mayor

Alexander Kraft

All 5 El Cajon candidates →

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