Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Montclair Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

5 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 · Unopposed

Javier "John" DutreyIncumbentMontclair mayor since 2018, first elected to the City Council in 1996. He served on the Planning Commission from 1990 to 1996.8sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Alice GarciaProject coordinator and 25-year Montclair resident. She lists grassroots advocacy and resident initiatives.2sourced
Corysa MartinezIncumbentMontclair councilmember since November 2019 and a practicing attorney since 2015. She is the current Mayor Pro Tem.7sourced
Victor MendezDeputy Sheriff with 24 years in law enforcement. He has been president of the Montclair Town Center Homeowners Association for 11 years.3sourced
Bill RuhIncumbentMontclair councilmember since 1998 who has worked in government affairs. He served on the Planning Commission from 1988 to 1998.9sourced

Voters choose one mayor, from a single-candidate contest, and up to two of four council candidates.

1 note on these statements

Javier "John" Dutrey is the only candidate for mayor; the county lists the contest on the ballot. San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: Candidate List, Nov. 3, 2026 · Sep 29, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Ben LopezCouncilmember; term ends November 20287sourced Xavier MendezCouncilmember; term ends November 20285sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesFire service and public safety, State housing requirements, Homelessness and the regional navigation center Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Ballots mailed and early voting begins

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Fire service and public safety

Where it standsCounty Fire has covered Station 152 since Sept. 4, 2026 under an interim agreement while Montclair explores annexation.

What's on the tableWhether Montclair annexes to County Fire, how it funds fire and police service, and how it staffs both.

The agreement is expected to last seven to ten months while the city explores annexation to County Fire. City of Montclair · Sep 3, 2026
The city cites competition for trained firefighters and paramedics as the reason to evaluate alternatives. City of Montclair · Sep 3, 2026
The council introduced Ordinance No. 26-1019, authorizing a special tax in Community Facilities District 2026-2 (Montclair Station), by a 5-0 vote on Sept. 8, 2026. City of Montclair · Sep 30, 2026

State housing requirements

Where it standsThe council adopted an urgency ordinance in April 2026 on ministerial approval of multi-family housing citywide; it returns through the normal process.

What's on the tableThe final citywide multi-family housing standards and how the city meets its Housing Element.

The urgency ordinance passed 4-1 on April 20, 2026, with one abstention. Montclair City Council minutes, April 20, 2026 · Apr 20, 2026
The City Manager said it was adopted under urgency procedures to meet the Housing Element adoption deadline and avoid penalties. Montclair City Council minutes, April 20, 2026 · Apr 20, 2026

Homelessness and the regional navigation center

Where it standsThe council approved an agreement in January 2026 to join the regional West End Navigation Center, subject to county funding terms.

What's on the tableWhether Montclair continues in the regional center, what it pays, and what local programs it adds.

The City Manager said the agreement term is ten years and the center, in Fontana, is anticipated to begin operating in 2027. Montclair City Council minutes, Jan. 20, 2026 · Jan 20, 2026
The county proposed contributing up to $150,000 per year, subject to Community Development Block Grant funds. Montclair City Council minutes, Jan. 20, 2026 · Jan 20, 2026

Council pay and conduct

Where it standsA new council pay-schedule ordinance takes effect Jan. 1, 2027; the council also adopted an expanded censure of a member in March 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to change council pay schedules and how the council handles conduct by its own members.

Ordinance No. 26-1018 sets Schedule A at $1,438, Schedule B at $1,150 and Schedule C at $742, with all members starting on Schedule A. City of Montclair · Sep 23, 2026
The City Manager said neither he nor the council can remove an elected official from office. Montclair City Council minutes, March 16, 2026 · Mar 16, 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. How should Montclair handle state housing requirements?
2. How should council pay work?
3. How should Montclair respond to homelessness?
4. What should the city do about police and fire staffing?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Ballots mailed and early voting beginsSan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: Voter Information Guide, Nov. 3, 2026Oct 5, 2026
Candidates' forum (city event)City of MontclairOct 14, 2026
Voter registration deadlineSan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: Voter Information Guide, Nov. 3, 2026Oct 19, 2026
Election DaySan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: Voter Information Guide, Nov. 3, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Ben Lopez, Xavier Mendez3 on this ballot

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

The Mayor and four Council Members are elected by Montclair voters. City of Montclair
Council Members are elected in even-numbered years for staggered four-year terms. City of Montclair
The Council appoints one of its members as Mayor Pro Tem after each biennial election. City of Montclair
The mayor and two council seats on the ballot are each for four-year terms. City of Montclair

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