Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

La Quinta Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 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

Suzanne Espinoza-JimenezCandidate for La Quinta mayor listed with no ballot designation on the county candidate list.1sourced
Linda EvansIncumbentMayor of La Quinta since 2014 and Chief Strategy Officer of Community Advocacy for Desert Care Network. She has worked in the healthcare industry for 37 years.2sourced
Lynne LangdonCandidate for La Quinta mayor listed with no ballot designation on the county candidate list.1sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Three candidates are running for mayor and four for two at-large City Council seats.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Kathleen FitzpatrickCouncilmember3sourced Steve SanchezCouncilmember3sourced

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCity land sold for a hotel, Vista Santa Rosa planning, Fire station staffing Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Election Day

Tue, Nov 3, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

City land sold for a hotel

Where it standsOn Aug. 4, 2026 the Council approved selling about 3.55 acres of surplus land near Calle Tampico and Main Street to Gather Capital Inc. for a hotel project.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the development agreement and build-out timelines for the hotel project.

Council discussed the use of the funds from the sale, items the escrow is contingent upon, and a development agreement to run with the land and include timelines for project build-out and completion. La Quinta City Council minutes, Aug. 4, 2026 (Sept. 15, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 4, 2026
The motion passed 4-0 with Councilmember Peña absent after recusing himself. La Quinta City Council minutes, Aug. 4, 2026 (Sept. 15, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 4, 2026

Vista Santa Rosa planning

Where it standsOn July 21, 2026 the Council approved an $800,000 contract with Sargent Town Planning to prepare the Vista Santa Rosa Master Plan.

What's on the tableThe next council will receive the master plan and decide how it relates to any annexation of the area.

Council discussed that a master plan is required per the La Quinta General Plan in order to complete an annexation, and that parcels in the Sphere of Influence must be contiguous. La Quinta City Council special meeting minutes, July 21, 2026 (Sept. 15, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 21, 2026
The motion passed 4-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Fitzpatrick recused. La Quinta City Council special meeting minutes, July 21, 2026 (Sept. 15, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 21, 2026

Fire station staffing

Where it standsOn Aug. 4, 2026 the Council approved an amendment to the Riverside County fire services agreement adopting the Municipal Staffing Model at two fire stations.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee fire service costs and staffing under the county agreement.

Council discussed the added Emergency Medical Technicians, recruitment, and exams and promotion timelines. La Quinta City Council minutes, Aug. 4, 2026 (Sept. 15, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 4, 2026
The motion passed unanimously. La Quinta City Council minutes, Aug. 4, 2026 (Sept. 15, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 4, 2026

Electrical capacity for growth

Where it standsThe city advanced up to $10 million in December 2025 for long lead-time equipment for an Avenue 58 substation, with reimbursement expected from developers and Riverside County.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the agreement and the growth the added electrical capacity allows.

Mayor Evans explained that with this advance allocation the city is accelerating growth in the community, which cannot occur without the availability of electrical capacity. La Quinta City Council minutes, Aug. 4, 2026 (Sept. 15, 2026 agenda packet) · Aug 4, 2026

Government accountability rules

Where it standsOn July 21, 2026 the Council introduced Ordinance No. 637 amending the city's conflict of interest code.

What's on the tableThe next council will decide whether to change rules on campaign contributions and term limits.

The motions to introduce Ordinance No. 637 passed unanimously. La Quinta City Council special meeting minutes, July 21, 2026 (Sept. 15, 2026 agenda packet) · Jul 21, 2026
Candidate Carene Hensley proposes a cap of four two-year terms for the mayor and two four-year terms for City Council. Ballotpedia · Sep 21, 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. Should La Quinta sell surplus city land to private developers for projects like hotels?
2. Should the city spend money now on a master plan for the Vista Santa Rosa area outside city limits?
3. Should La Quinta change its county fire contract to the Municipal Staffing Model?
4. Should La Quinta put term limits on the mayor and council?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Election DayCity of La Quinta · Oct 5, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Steve Sanchez3 on this ballot

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

The November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election fills 1 Mayor seat with a 2-year term and 2 Council seats with 4-year terms each. City of La Quinta · Oct 5, 2026
The La Quinta City Council is comprised of five members. City of La Quinta
The City Council is responsible for appointment of the City Manager and the City Attorney. City of La Quinta

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