Imperial Beach, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Imperial Beach 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 1 · 1 seat

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

The Nov. 3 ballot has three contests, each for one seat: Mayor, City Council District 1 and City Council District 3.

2 notes on these statements

Jose A. Lopez Eguino and Steve Berry did not respond to several requests from the San Diego Union-Tribune to answer its candidate questionnaire. San Diego Union-Tribune · Oct 3, 2026

Matthew Leyba-Gonzalez is a sitting councilmember for District 4 and is running for Mayor; Carol Seabury is not seeking re-election, according to Voice of San Diego. Voice of San Diego · Aug 13, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jack FisherImperial Beach District 2 councilmember and 2026 Mayor Pro Tempore, a chef and resident since 1976.5sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesTijuana River sewage crisis, Cost of living and tenant protections, License plate readers and immigration enforcementKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

Ballots begin going out to registered voters

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Tijuana River sewage crisis

Where it standsThe council has kept a local emergency over cross-border Tijuana River pollution in place, and candidates differ on how a mayor should press federal and county agencies.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how the city lobbies other agencies and whether it backs funding proposals for treatment infrastructure.

  • KPBS reports the mayor has little power over the sewage flows themselves; former mayors Paloma Aguirre and Serge Dedina drew national attention to the crisis through advocacy. KPBS · Sep 29, 2026
  • On Dec. 3, 2025 the council adopted Resolution 2025-068 to maintain a state of local emergency over cross-border pollution from the Tijuana River. Imperial Beach City Council minutes, December 3, 2025 · Dec 3, 2025
  • Mitch McKay told the Union-Tribune that U.S.-side infrastructure projects expected to be complete by the end of 2027 can significantly help, but a lasting fix depends on Mexico meeting its Minute 328 and 333 commitments. San Diego Union-Tribune · Oct 3, 2026
  • Karl Bradley's answer, as reported by the Union-Tribune, names a proposed supplemental treatment plant that is contingent on a countywide sales tax increase on the November ballot. San Diego Union-Tribune · Oct 3, 2026

Cost of living and tenant protections

Where it standsThe council adopted a local just-cause eviction ordinance in February 2025 on a 3-2 vote, and rents have risen.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to change the tenant protection ordinance and how to encourage new housing.

  • KPBS cites Zillow figures that a market-rate rental in Imperial Beach has risen to nearly $3,000 this year, an increase of $1,400 since 2016. KPBS · Sep 29, 2026
  • The council adopted Ordinance 2025-1253 on Feb. 19, 2025; Leyba-Gonzalez, Fisher and Aguirre voted yes and McKay and Seabury voted no. City of Imperial Beach · Feb 27, 2025
  • Bradley told KPBS he would look at stronger enforcement of affordability requirements and at requiring parking for small developments. KPBS · Sep 29, 2026

License plate readers and immigration enforcement

Where it standsThe council approved four license plate reader cameras and a two-month public safety camera pilot with the Sheriff's Office in June 2026.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to continue, expand or cancel the cameras and whether to take local steps on immigration enforcement.

Homelessness and shelter space

Where it standsImperial Beach has its own outreach team but no local shelters and is contracting with Chula Vista for shelter space.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide how to fund and use the shelter partnership and what other housing programs to pursue.

  • KPBS reports Imperial Beach has its own homeless outreach team but no local homeless shelters, and is in the process of contracting with Chula Vista for shelter space and administrative support. KPBS · Sep 29, 2026
  • McKay told KPBS the city is helping fund a new 50-unit affordable senior housing complex along Palm Avenue. KPBS · Sep 29, 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. 1. How should Imperial Beach handle its local tenant protection ordinance?

  2. 2. Should Imperial Beach use automated license plate reader cameras?

  3. 3. What should the city do about federal immigration enforcement?

  4. 4. Should a countywide sales tax help pay for a supplemental Tijuana River treatment plant?

  5. 5. Should Imperial Beach contract with a neighboring city for shelter space?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

The seat math

1 stay (not up this year): Jack Fisher3 on this ballot

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

  • Imperial Beach has a council-manager form of government: the City Council selects a city manager to run day-to-day operations. KPBS · Sep 29, 2026
  • Voters elect a Mayor for a full four-year term and Members of the City Council for District 1 and District 3, each for a full four-year term, on Nov. 3, 2026. City of Imperial Beach · Jun 29, 2026
  • The mayor mostly serves as another member of the City Council, with added duties such as representing the city at official events and in regional bodies like SANDAG, and more say over what is on the council agenda. KPBS · Sep 29, 2026
  • The council is Mayor Mitch McKay, Mayor Pro Tempore Jack Fisher (District 2), Matthew Leyba-Gonzalez (District 4), Mariko Nakawatase (District 3) and Carol Seabury. City of Imperial Beach

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