Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Hermosa Beach City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 3

6 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 · Vote for up to 3

Maggie Bove-LaMonicaMaggie Bove-LaMonica is serving her third term on the Hermosa Beach City School District Board.2sourced
Dean FrancoisIncumbentCity Councilmember9sourced
Eric HorneEric Horne is a Megafire Action wildfire policy executive and former FDA liaison to Congress.3sourced
Ray JacksonIncumbentCity Councilmember8sourced
Rob SaemannIncumbentCity Councilmember10sourced
Elka WornerElka Worner is a Hermosa Beach Parks and Recreation Commissioner who works in a downtown small business.3sourced

Six candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot for three at-large City Council seats.

1 note on these statements

Votes shown for Ray Jackson, Dean Francois, Rob Saemann, Mike Detoy and Michael D. Keegan come from the city's post-meeting council recaps, which list each member's vote on each motion. City of Hermosa Beach

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Mike DetoyMayor8sourced Michael D. KeeganMayor Pro Tem; term as mayor pro tem ends December 8, 20268sourced

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 decidesCity budget and the half-cent sales tax, Short-term rentals in the Coastal Zone, Hermosa Beach Pier repairs and replacement Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed by

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

City budget and the half-cent sales tax

Where it standsThe council balanced the 2026-27 budget in June and put a half-cent sales tax on the November 3 ballot.

What's on the tableHow the city closes projected deficits, whether it renegotiates county fire and lifeguard contracts, and what happens if voters reject the tax.

The city says it closed a $3.2 million structural deficit for fiscal year 2026-27 by cutting spending by about $4.5 million. City of Hermosa Beach · Jun 29, 2026
The city projects about $3.1 million in cost increases from pending Los Angeles County renegotiations for fire, lifeguard and beach maintenance services. City of Hermosa Beach · Jun 29, 2026
On July 28, 2026 the council voted 4-1 to adopt a resolution placing a one-half cent sales tax measure on the November 3 ballot. City Council recap, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 2026
The Daily Breeze reported the tax could raise about $2 million a year and needs a simple majority. Daily Breeze · Jul 31, 2026

Short-term rentals in the Coastal Zone

Where it standsThe council adopted a short-term rental ordinance in September 2026 that exempts the Coastal Zone from the general prohibition.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or tighten the program after the review the ordinance schedules.

On August 25, 2026 the council voted 3-2 to introduce Ordinance 26-1502, permitting short-term rentals within the Coastal Zone and prohibiting them outside it, with a review after six months. City Council recap, August 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
On September 8, 2026 the council voted 3-2 to adopt Ordinance 26-1502 as amended to restore language exempting Coastal Zone short-term rentals from the general prohibition. City Council recap, September 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026

Hermosa Beach Pier repairs and replacement

Where it standsThe council approved high-priority repairs in March 2026 and sent replacement options to the Public Works Commission.

What's on the tableHow and when to fund repairs and a possible replacement of the pier.

On March 24, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to direct staff to complete high-priority pier repairs, about $3.7 million over the next one to two years. City Council recap, March 24, 2026 · Mar 24, 2026
The same night it voted 3-2 to direct the Public Works Commission to identify pier replacement project options for further analysis. City Council recap, March 24, 2026 · Mar 24, 2026
The city lists the pier among its substantial unfunded capital improvement needs, along with the City Yard and street and sidewalk repairs. City of Hermosa Beach · Jun 29, 2026

E-bikes on the Strand and state plate legislation

Where it standsIn May 2026 the council voted to send a letter supporting AB 1942, a bill requiring plates on Class II and III e-bikes.

What's on the tableWhat local enforcement and public safety presence the city funds on the Strand, beach and parks.

On May 12, 2026 the council voted 4-1 to direct staff to draft a letter supporting AB 1942. City Council recap, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026
On March 24, 2026 the council voted 3-2 to receive and file a report on public safety presence on the Strand, beach and parks. City Council recap, March 24, 2026 · Mar 24, 2026

Valley Park East dog park

Where it standsThe council is studying a privately funded dog park, with Valley Park East as the primary site.

What's on the tableWhether to approve a dog park design and agreement once a final proposal returns.

On May 12, 2026 the council voted 3-2 to direct a feasibility analysis of a local dog park, with Valley Park East as the primary site and the Greenbelt as a secondary option. City Council recap, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026
The recap says the community organization Bark for a Park agreed to cover all project costs, including study, construction and maintenance. City Council recap, May 12, 2026 · May 12, 2026
On July 28, 2026 the council voted 3-2 to approve an MOU with Bark for a Park that includes a 10% cost cap. City Council recap, July 28, 2026 · Jul 28, 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 would you vote on the half-cent sales tax measure?
2. Should Hermosa Beach permit short-term rentals in the Coastal Zone?
3. What should the city do about the Hermosa Beach Pier?
4. Should the city support state legislation requiring plates on Class II and III e-bikes?
5. Should the city move ahead with a privately funded dog park at Valley Park East?

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 byCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 5, 2026
Candidate forum, Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce (Council Chambers)City of Hermosa BeachOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
Candidate forum, Leadership Hermosa Beach (Council Chambers)City of Hermosa BeachOct 19, 2026
Election DayCity of Hermosa BeachNov 3, 2026
Last day for mailed ballots to arriveCalifornia Secretary of StateNov 10, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Mike Detoy, Michael D. Keegan3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The City Council's current members are Mayor Mike Detoy, Mayor Pro Tem Michael D. Keegan, and Councilmembers Ray Jackson, Dean Francois and Rob Saemann. City of Hermosa Beach
Members of the City Council are elected at large for a four-year term. City of Hermosa Beach
Councilmembers choose one of their members as Mayor and one as Mayor Pro Tem, each serving about 9.6 months. City of Hermosa Beach
The council elected Mike Detoy mayor on February 24, 2026, and elected Michael D. Keegan mayor pro tem for a term ending December 8, 2026. City Council recap, February 24, 2026 · Feb 24, 2026
Three City Council seats are up in the November 3, 2026 election, each for a four-year term. City of Hermosa Beach

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