Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Menifee City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

Ben DiederichIncumbentDistrict 2 councilmember appointed in 2025 after six years on the Menifee Planning Commission. He opened his law firm in Menifee in 2016.13sourced
Thomas Patrick FuhrmanRetired tool and die specialist who served on the Menifee City Council from 2010 to 2014.7sourced
Laz C. PetersonTechnology business owner on Menifee's Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission since 2023. He owns three technology-related businesses.8sourced

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

Only voters in Districts 2 and 4 vote in this race, and each picks one councilmember. The mayor and Districts 1 and 3 are not on this ballot.

4 notes on these statements

District 4 is an open seat: Councilmember Dean Deines has termed out. Menifee 24/7 · Jun 6, 2026

Ben Diederich was appointed to the District 2 seat in January 2025 to fill the vacancy created when Ricky Estrada was elected mayor. Menifee 24/7 · Jun 6, 2026

Randy Madrid and Daniel Stephens did not attend the Sept. 23, 2026 Menifee 24/7 candidate forum. Menifee 24/7 · Sep 24, 2026

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin and Councilmembers Dan Temple and Dean Deines are listed as endorsers on Ben Diederich's campaign site. Ben Diederich campaign site

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Ricky EstradaMayor; term ends December 20289sourced Bob KarwinMayor Pro Tem; Councilmember, District 1; term ends December 20288sourced Dan TempleCouncilmember, District 3; term ends December 20287sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesWarehouses, Paying for growth, License plate cameras Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Warehouses

Where it standsThe council approved three warehouse projects on 4-1 votes in June and July 2026, with Mayor Ricky Estrada voting no each time.

What's on the tableWhether to keep approving large warehouse projects, especially in the Northern Gateway area along Ethanac Road.

The Heritage Valley Business Center, approved June 17, 2026, is a nearly 830,000-square-foot warehouse project. Menifee 24/7 · Jun 18, 2026
The council approved the Murrieta Road Warehouse Project on appeal on a 4-1 vote on June 17, 2026. Menifee City Council minutes, June 17, 2026 · Jun 17, 2026
On July 15, 2026, the council voted 4-1 to deny appeals, including one filed by Mayor Ricky Estrada, and approve the Trumble and Watson Warehouse. Menifee City Council minutes, July 15, 2026 · Jul 15, 2026
Nine warehouse applications in the Northern Gateway Economic Development Corridor were approved in concept before state law AB 98 took effect. Menifee 24/7 · Feb 10, 2026

Paying for growth

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council voted 4-1 to start forming a Public Safety Community Facilities District, a special tax district.

What's on the tableHow new development pays for the roads, police and fire service it needs, and when.

The council voted 4-1 on June 17, 2026 to proceed with forming a Public Safety Community Facilities District; Mayor Ricky Estrada voted no. Menifee City Council minutes, June 17, 2026 · Jun 17, 2026
The city manager has said some warehouse construction is still needed so developers can fund infrastructure south of Ethanac Road. Menifee 24/7 · Feb 10, 2026
The council adopted the 2025-26 and 2026-27 biennial budget 5-0 in June 2025. Menifee City Council minutes, June 18, 2025 · Jun 18, 2025

License plate cameras

Where it standsMenifee police use Flock license plate reader cameras. In June 2026 the council approved four more cameras.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, limit or expand the city's license plate camera program.

On June 3, 2026, the council approved an amendment to the city's Flock Safety contract for four additional cameras, adding $60,600. Menifee City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 · Jun 3, 2026
Menifee 24/7 lists Flock cameras among the main topics of this election, along with warehouses and city development. Menifee 24/7 · Sep 15, 2026

E-bike safety

Where it standsCandidates at the Sept. 23, 2026 Menifee 24/7 forum offered different approaches to e-bike safety, from new rules to more education.

What's on the tableWhether to tighten city rules for e-bike riders.

Councilmember Ben Diederich said he has requested a future council discussion on strengthening the city's e-bike ordinance. Menifee 24/7 · Sep 24, 2026
In June 2025, Parks Commission Vice Chair Laz C. Peterson requested a future discussion on regulating e-bikes on parks and trails. Menifee Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission minutes, June 5, 2025 · Jun 5, 2025

Sports park

Where it standsA developer-built sports park and aquatic center is in planning, and some candidates want a larger regional sports complex.

What's on the tableWhether the city pursues a regional sports complex, and how to pay for it.

In May 2025, Councilmember Ben Diederich asked for a future council item on the feasibility of a regional sports park; Mayor Ricky Estrada seconded. Menifee City Council minutes, May 7, 2025 · May 7, 2025
The Parks Commission approved a concept for the 17-acre Menifee Valley Sports Park and Aquatic Center; the developer will fund and build it. Menifee 24/7 · Aug 7, 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 Menifee keep approving large warehouse projects?
2. How should Menifee handle the roads and services new development needs?
3. Should Menifee keep using Flock license plate cameras?
4. What should the city do about e-bike safety?
5. Should Menifee pursue a regional sports complex?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailingCity of MenifeeOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteCity of MenifeeOct 19, 2026
Election Day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)City of MenifeeNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Ricky Estrada, Bob Karwin, Dan Temple2 on this ballot

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

The City Council has five members: the mayor and one councilmember for each of Districts 1 through 4. City of Menifee
The mayor is elected citywide for a four-year term. City of Menifee · Nov 5, 2024
District councilmembers serve four-year terms; the mayor and Districts 1 and 3 are next up in 2028. Menifee 24/7 · Jun 6, 2026
The mayor votes on council items; the June 2025 budget vote, for example, was 5-0 with Mayor Ricky Estrada voting yes. Menifee City Council minutes, June 18, 2025 · Jun 18, 2025
Menifee uses a council-manager form of government, and the City Council appoints the city manager. City of Menifee

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