Laguna Beach City Council · Nov 3, 2026

Sue Kempf

Candidate for City Council (incumbent)

9 candidates · 3 seats11 sourced positions

Sue Kempf, the incumbent, is running for Laguna Beach City Council in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 9 candidates are running for 3 seats.

Vote-by-mail ballots mailed; early voting opens at the Registrar of Voters office · Mon, Oct 5, 2026

Today

Laguna Beach councilmember first elected in 2018; current term expires in 2026.

Where Sue Kempf stands: positions on the record

Design review appeals1 sourced position

Voted no on a resolution overturning the Design Review Board's conditional approval of a project (passed 3-2, May 2026).
Council voteLaguna Beach City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026

Beach canopies1 sourced position

Voted no on revisions to the municipal code section on canopies, awnings, umbrellas, tents and other covers (passed 3-2, April 2026).
Council voteLaguna Beach City Council minutes, April 14, 2026 · Apr 14, 2026

Design review streamlining2 sourced positions

Moved the motion to extend the urgency ordinance that streamlines design review and other permit processes (passed 5-0, Aug 2026).
Council voteLaguna Beach City Council minutes, Aug. 4, 2026 · Aug 4, 2026
Her campaign site lists a provisional ordinance to streamline the Design Review Board among actions of the council.
“Provisional Ordinance to Streamline Design Review Board (DRB).”
Own statementSue Kempf campaign website

AI permitting pilot1 sourced position

Moved the motion for a 12-month artificial intelligence pilot for community development operations, not to exceed $100,000 (passed 5-0, Aug 2026).
Council voteLaguna Beach City Council minutes, Aug. 4, 2026 · Aug 4, 2026

Visitor management2 sourced positions

Moved the motion for an additional $66,845 appropriation to complete the Clean Laguna campaign (passed 5-0, April 2026).
Council voteLaguna Beach City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 · Apr 28, 2026
Her ballot statement lists a stewardship plan including the Clean Laguna program, drone policing and a ban on canopies among actions taken.
“implemented a stewardship plan to address visitor impacts like our Clean Laguna program, drone policing and a ban on canopies”
Own statementSue Kempf candidate statement (City of Laguna Beach)

Forest Promenade1 sourced position

Moved the motion to award the $5,549,964.85 construction contract for the Forest Promenade permanent conversion (passed 5-0, Jan 2026).
Council voteLaguna Beach City Council minutes, Jan. 13, 2026 · Jan 13, 2026

City budget1 sourced position

Voted yes on mid-year budget adjustments and an increase in the General Fund contingency reserve from $17.3 million to $18.5 million (passed 5-0, April 2026).
Council voteLaguna Beach City Council minutes, April 14, 2026 · Apr 14, 2026

Hospital emergency room2 sourced positions

Voted yes to have the ad hoc committee interview Hospital Task Force applicants and recommend appointees (passed 5-0, May 2026).
Council voteLaguna Beach City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026
Her ballot statement lists keeping the emergency room as a question facing the council.
“How can we keep our life-saving emergency room?”
Own statementSue Kempf candidate statement (City of Laguna Beach)

In their words

Her ballot statement lists a stewardship plan including the Clean Laguna program, drone policing and a ban on canopies among actions taken.
Sue Kempf candidate statement (City of Laguna Beach)

On the record

Moved the motion for an additional $66,845 appropriation to complete the Clean Laguna campaign (passed 5-0, April 2026).
Apr 28, 2026 ·Laguna Beach City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 · Apr 28, 2026

In their words

Her ballot statement lists keeping the emergency room as a question facing the council.
Sue Kempf candidate statement (City of Laguna Beach)

On the record

Voted yes to have the ad hoc committee interview Hospital Task Force applicants and recommend appointees (passed 5-0, May 2026).
May 26, 2026 ·Laguna Beach City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026

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