Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Hollister Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

7 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.

Mayor · 1 seat

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

Frida BenjaminEmployment specialist who has lived in Hollister's District 2 for almost five years.4sourced
Brian ChavezBusiness owner who has lived in Hollister's District 2 for almost four years.4sourced

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

All Hollister voters choose the mayor for a two-year term; District 2 and District 3 voters each choose their own councilmember for a four-year term.

4 notes on these statements

Mayor Roxanne Stephens did not seek reelection, so the mayor's seat has no incumbent in the race. BenitoLink

Councilmember Rolan Resendiz is not seeking reelection in District 2, so that seat has no incumbent in the race. BenitoLink

Scott McPhail did not respond in time to the Hollister Free Lance candidate profile request. Hollister Free Lance · Oct 2, 2026

The Hollister City Treasurer is also on the Nov. 3 ballot; this guide covers the mayor and council contests. San Benito County Elections

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Priscilla de AndaCouncilmember, District 4; term ends December 20284sourced Rudy PichaCouncilmember, District 1; term ends December 20284sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesMotorcycle rally, Housing and growth, City budget deficit Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Mon, Oct 19, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Motorcycle rally

Where it standsThe city ran the 2025 and 2026 Fourth of July rallies with a promoter and has not yet reached its stated goal of a cost-neutral event.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city hosts the rally in future years, including who pays for security and operations.

Officials estimated about 20,000 visitors in 2026, with $250,000 in public safety costs, $96,000 in insurance and about $40,000 in promoter fees. BenitoLink
For the 2025 rally the city reported $654,928 in expenses and $457,896 in revenue. BenitoLink
On Dec. 15, 2025 the council approved a $40,000 agreement with promoter Roadshows Inc. on a 4-1 vote. BenitoLink

Housing and growth

Where it standsThe council is deciding which annexation and general plan requests to take up, while candidates disagree on how fast residential growth should proceed.

What's on the tableWhich housing and annexation proposals move forward and what infrastructure they must pay for.

On Sept. 8, 2026 the council voted 3-2 on a motion to initiate a General Plan amendment and prezone for a 1.9-acre parcel at Fairview Road and Highway 25; the motion failed. Hollister City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
On Sept. 8, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to initiate a prezone for a 12.9-acre parcel northwest of Wright Road and San Felipe Road. Hollister City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026
On Sept. 8, 2026 the council voted 4-1 to continue participation in the Statewide Community Infrastructure Program. Hollister City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026

City budget deficit

Where it standsStaff projected a $17.1 million deficit in the general and water funds, and the council met Oct. 2, 2026 to consider a financial emergency.

What's on the tableHow to close the gap, including interfund loans, a possible sales tax request and staffing levels.

When the 2026-27 budget was approved, the city projected a $17.1 million deficit in its general and water funds. BenitoLink
The Oct. 2 agenda included an $18 million interfund loan from two impact fee funds and pursuing state legislation to allow up to a 1% transaction and use tax. BenitoLink
Staff reported the city lacks completed audited financial statements since fiscal year 2021-2022. BenitoLink
In a Sept. 9 special meeting the council dropped a proposed sewer fund loan after learning the roughly $2 million would have to be repaid within the same fiscal year. BenitoLink

Wastewater plant and odors

Where it standsResidents on the west side have complained about odors from the city's wastewater plant, and repairs have been under way since early 2026.

What's on the tableHow much to spend on plant repairs and upgrades, and how to keep capacity ahead of new development.

At the Feb. 2, 2026 meeting, Mayor Roxanne Stephens and Councilmember Rolan Resendiz requested a formal study or soil and water tests. BenitoLink
The public works director said the pond was designed with eight aerators but is down to three. BenitoLink
Sludge removal had not been done since 2022, when it cost $2.7 million. BenitoLink

Water rates

Where it standsThe council raised water rates twice in four months in 2026 to cover the cost of service.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the annual rate increases already set through fiscal year 2030 and how to staff the water department.

The June 22, 2026 resolution raises fixed monthly charges for the three smallest meter sizes from $23.98-$37.52 to $33.33-$52.15. BenitoLink
The city has set an annual rate increase through fiscal year 2030. BenitoLink
In April, the city manager reported the water department overspent $26.4 million over the past decade. BenitoLink

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. What should Hollister do about the Independence Rally?
2. How should Hollister approach new housing development?
3. Which infrastructure problem should the council tackle first?
4. How should Hollister set water rates?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineCity of HollisterOct 19, 2026
Election Day (polls and ballot drop boxes open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)City of HollisterNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Priscilla de Anda, Rudy Picha3 on this ballot

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

Hollister is a General Law City with a Council-City Manager form of government. City of Hollister
City voters elect four council members by district and the Mayor at-large. City of Hollister
On Nov. 3, 2026 voters will fill the Mayor seat (two years) and the District 2 and District 3 council seats (four years each). San Benito County Elections
Council members serve staggered four-year terms, and the Mayor is elected by all voters for a two-year term. City of Hollister
The mayor votes on roll calls alongside the four councilmembers, as in the 3-2 vote of June 22, 2026. Hollister City Council minutes, June 22, 2026 (special meeting) · Jun 22, 2026

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