Modesto City Council · Nov 3, 2026
Sue Zwahlen
Mayor; term ends 2028City of Modesto
Sue Zwahlen (Mayor) is not on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot and will stay on the Modesto City Council after the election.
Mayor of Modesto since February 2021 and a former two-term member of the Modesto City Schools Board.
Where Sue Zwahlen stands: positions on the record
Protest mask ordinance3 sourced positions
Voted yes on an urgency ordinance revising the city's restrictions on specified items during public assemblies (passed 7-0, Dec. 2025).
Council voteModesto City Council minutes, Dec. 2, 2025 · Dec 2, 2025
as reported by The Modesto Bee
Said she made her decision after considering input from the public and experts.
“I made my decision after considering the input I received from the public and experts, with the intention of protecting all Modesto residents”
Own statementThe Modesto Bee · Dec 4, 2025
Voted yes on expanding the Meyers Nave legal services agreement to include litigation and trial counsel, up to $349,500 (passed 6-1, April 2026).
Council voteModesto City Council minutes, April 7, 2026 · Apr 7, 2026
Data centers1 sourced position
as reported by The Modesto Bee
Said city staff is not working on a code change to allow data centers and is exploring the need for a moratorium.
“City staff is not working on a proposed amendment to the zoning code to allow data centers, and they are also working on and exploring the need for a moratorium”
Own statementThe Modesto Bee · Aug 12, 2026
General Plan update1 sourced position
Voted yes on selecting staff's preferred land use alternative for the Comprehensive General Plan Update (passed 5-1, April 2026).
Council voteModesto City Council minutes, April 28, 2026 · Apr 28, 2026
What Sue Zwahlen said vs. how Sue Zwahlen voted
Protest mask ordinance
In their words
Said she made her decision after considering input from the public and experts.
Dec 4, 2025 ·as reported by The Modesto Bee ·The Modesto Bee · Dec 4, 2025
On the record
Voted yes on expanding the Meyers Nave legal services agreement to include litigation and trial counsel, up to $349,500 (passed 6-1, April 2026).
Apr 7, 2026 ·Modesto City Council minutes, April 7, 2026 · Apr 7, 2026
On the ballot this time
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