Imperial Beach Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Mitch McKay
Candidate for Mayor (incumbent)
Mitch McKay, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Imperial Beach in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Matthew Leyba-Gonzalez and Karl Bradley.
Ballots begin going out to registered voters · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayImperial Beach's mayor since 2025, a retired aerospace engineer first elected to the City Council in 2022. He was appointed mayor on August 6, 2025.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Appointed Mayor
Where Mitch McKay stands: positions on the record
Tenant protections2 sourced positions
Voted no on adopting the Just Cause for Termination of a Residential Tenancy Ordinance (passed 3-2, February 2025).
Council voteCity of Imperial Beach · Feb 27, 2025
as reported by KPBS; not a direct quote
Says the mayor has little influence over the cost of living and that he supported the city's 2025 tenant protection ordinance.
Own statementKPBS · Sep 29, 2026
License plate readers1 sourced position
Voted yes on a Sheriff's Office agreement to install four automated license plate reader cameras and a two-month pilot of public safety cameras (passed 4-0, June 2026).
Council voteImperial Beach City Council draft minutes, June 3, 2026 (June 17, 2026 agenda packet) · Jun 17, 2026
Council appointments1 sourced position
Voted yes on appointing Mariko Nakawatase to fill the District 3 council vacancy (passed 3-1, October 2025).
Council voteImperial Beach City Council minutes, October 1, 2025 · Oct 1, 2025
Tijuana River sewage2 sourced positions
Voted yes on the consent calendar that included Resolution 2025-068 continuing the local emergency over cross-border Tijuana River pollution (passed 5-0, December 2025).
Council voteImperial Beach City Council minutes, December 3, 2025 · Dec 3, 2025
as reported by KPBS; not a direct quote
Says he would continue to meet with federal, state and local agencies and urge them to act, and describes the mayor's role as an advocate for the city.
Own statementKPBS · Sep 29, 2026
Homelessness1 sourced position
as reported by KPBS; not a direct quote
Says he supports the city's weekly outreach and its new partnership with Chula Vista for shelter space.
Own statementKPBS · Sep 29, 2026
Immigration enforcement1 sourced position
as reported by KPBS; not a direct quote
Says speaking about immigration enforcement should be each councilmember's individual decision and that he did not see it as part of the City Council's purview.
Own statementKPBS · Sep 29, 2026
What Mitch McKay said vs. how Mitch McKay voted
Tenant protections
In their words
Says the mayor has little influence over the cost of living and that he supported the city's 2025 tenant protection ordinance.
Sep 29, 2026 ·as reported by KPBS; not a direct quote ·KPBS · Sep 29, 2026
On the record
Voted no on adopting the Just Cause for Termination of a Residential Tenancy Ordinance (passed 3-2, February 2025).
Feb 27, 2025 ·City of Imperial Beach · Feb 27, 2025
Tijuana River sewage
In their words
Says he would continue to meet with federal, state and local agencies and urge them to act, and describes the mayor's role as an advocate for the city.
Sep 29, 2026 ·as reported by KPBS; not a direct quote ·KPBS · Sep 29, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on the consent calendar that included Resolution 2025-068 continuing the local emergency over cross-border Tijuana River pollution (passed 5-0, December 2025).
Dec 3, 2025 ·Imperial Beach City Council minutes, December 3, 2025 · Dec 3, 2025
Also running for Mayor
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