Escondido City Council District 1 · Nov 3, 2026
Vanessa Valenzuela
Candidate for City Council District 1
Vanessa Valenzuela is running for Escondido City Council District 1 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Tanner Horsley.
Ballots start going out · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayDirector of finance for an environmental nonprofit, with twenty years of budgeting and auditing experience. She is a lifelong Escondido resident and attended local schools.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Director of Finance
- Campaign website
- vanessaforescondido.com
The San Diego County Democratic Party endorsed Elias Velazquez, Vanessa Valenzuela and Anthony DiMartino. KPBS · Sep 30, 2026
Where Vanessa Valenzuela stands: positions on the record
ICE firing range1 sourced position
Supports ending the police firing-range agreement with the federal government.
“Ending the shooting range agreement between Escondido Police Department and the Federal Government.”
Own statementVanessa Valenzuela campaign site
Homelessness1 sourced position
Advocates a Housing First strategy, permanent supportive housing and mental health outreach teams.
Own statementVanessa Valenzuela campaign site
Encampments1 sourced position
Advocates safe camping sites and tiny home villages with services.
Own statementVanessa Valenzuela campaign site
Rent control1 sourced position
Supports rent control and just-cause eviction requirements.
“Passing rent control in all areas allowed by state law.”
Own statementVanessa Valenzuela campaign site
Housing1 sourced position
Wants vacant or underused properties converted into housing owned by the city, nonprofits or the community.
“Converting vacant or underused properties into housing owned by the city, nonprofits, or the community.”
Own statementVanessa Valenzuela campaign site
Vacancy tax1 sourced position
Proposes a vacancy tax on corporate landlords who leave units empty, with revenue for housing programs.
Own statementVanessa Valenzuela campaign site
Wages1 sourced position
Supports raising the local minimum wage for businesses with 26 or more employees and project labor agreements on city-funded construction.
Own statementVanessa Valenzuela campaign site
Policing1 sourced position
Supports civilian crisis response teams for mental health calls and community oversight boards over police budgets and policies.
Own statementVanessa Valenzuela campaign site
Past candidacy1 sourced position
Ran for Escondido City Council, District 2 (short term) in 2020 (lost).
Own statementSan Diego County Registrar of Voters · Nov 3, 2020
Also running for City Council District 1
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