El Cajon City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Michelle Metschel
Deputy Mayor; Councilmember, District 2; term ends December 2028City of El Cajon
Michelle Metschel (Deputy Mayor) is not on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot and will stay on the El Cajon City Council after the election.
Department administrator for General Atomics' Energy Group, first elected to the council in 2020. She has volunteered at the El Cajon Animal Shelter and with homeless outreach.
Where Michelle Metschel stands: positions on the record
SB 54 lawsuit2 sourced positions
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune; not a direct quote
Voted against pursuing the city's lawsuit challenging California's sanctuary law, SB 54 (passed 3-2, April 2026).
Council voteSan Diego Union-Tribune · Apr 29, 2026
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune
Called the lawsuit political theater.
“Just like last year when I voted against the city’s resolution, I think this (lawsuit) is political theater”
Own statementSan Diego Union-Tribune · Apr 29, 2026
Budget1 sourced position
Moved to adopt 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
Said she would not vote for a council pay raise after budget cuts; the council rejected the 5% raise unanimously (July 2026).
Council voteSan Diego Union-Tribune · Jul 16, 2026
Cannabis dispensaries1 sourced position
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune
Proposed, with Councilmember Gary Kendrick, studying an ordinance to allow up to four cannabis dispensaries.
“A ban does not mean cannabis is absent, it only means it is unregulated and untaxed”
Own statementSan Diego Union-Tribune · Feb 25, 2026
Parkway Plaza1 sourced position
As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune
Prefers a low-risk partnership with Parkway Plaza's owners over the city acquiring the mall.
“We shouldn’t be in the mall business”
Own statementSan Diego Union-Tribune · Sep 27, 2026
Homelessness1 sourced position
Wants to work with nonprofits, faith-based organizations and community activists to address homelessness.
Own statementCity of El Cajon
Economic development1 sourced position
Voted no on allocating $100,000 from General Fund reserves to the Empower East County Business Revolving Loan Fund (passed 3-1, Sept. 2026).
Council voteEl Cajon City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
Kaiser property1 sourced position
Voted yes on directing 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
Past candidacy2 sourced positions
Ran for El Cajon City Council, District 2, in 2020 (won).
Own statementSan Diego County Registrar of Voters · Nov 3, 2020
Ran for El Cajon City Council, District 2, in 2024 (won).
Own statementSan Diego County Registrar of Voters · Nov 5, 2024
What Michelle Metschel said vs. how Michelle Metschel voted
SB 54 lawsuit
In their words
Called the lawsuit political theater.
Apr 29, 2026 ·As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune ·San Diego Union-Tribune · Apr 29, 2026
On the record
Voted against pursuing the city's lawsuit challenging California's sanctuary law, SB 54 (passed 3-2, April 2026).
Apr 29, 2026 ·As reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune; not a direct quote ·San Diego Union-Tribune · Apr 29, 2026
On the ballot this time
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