Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Ontario Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

10 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.

Mayor · 1 seat

Kevin KizzeeSmall business owner whose companies provide security, black car service and pool maintenance. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration.7sourced
Nicolo LalamaPolitical science major at UC Riverside and lifelong Ontario resident.5sourced
Paul LeonIncumbentMayor of Ontario since 200513sourced
Daisy MaciasCouncilmember, District 4; term ends December 20289sourced

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

City Council District 3 · 1 seat

All Ontario voters pick one candidate for mayor. Voters in District 2 or District 3 also pick one candidate for their district's council seat.

6 notes on these statements

Districts 2 and 3 elect council members by district for the first time in 2026. Ontario Municipal Code, Title 2, Chapter 1 (council salaries and electoral system)

Alan Wapner's current council term runs December 2022 - December 2026. City of Ontario

Daisy Macias's current District 4 council term runs December 2024 – December 2028. City of Ontario

Councilmember Jim W. Bowman's current term runs December 2022 - December 2026. City of Ontario

Planning Commissioner Jonathan Hagman announced on Aug. 3, 2026 that he was withdrawing from the District 3 race. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin · Aug 14, 2026

The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin editorial board recommended a no vote on Measure H. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin editorial · Oct 1, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Debra PoradaMayor Pro Tem; Councilmember, District 1; term ends December 20287sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz6 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesMeasure H sales tax, Warehouses and truck traffic, Term limits, campaign money and council pay Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Mail ballots go out; early voting begins

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Measure H sales tax

Where it standsOn Aug. 7, 2026, the council voted 4-0, with Alan Wapner absent, to put Measure H, a half-cent general sales tax, on the November ballot.

What's on the tableHow to spend the new revenue if Measure H passes, or how to balance the budget without it.

Measure H would raise Ontario's sales tax rate from 8.75% to 9.25%. City of Ontario
The tax is estimated to raise $32,500,000 a year for the general fund and would stay in effect until repealed by voters. San Bernardino County Voter Information Guide, Nov. 3, 2026 (candidate statements and Measure H)
In 2022, voters approved Measure Q, a 1% sales tax that generates about $60 million a year. City of Ontario
The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin editorial board recommended a no vote on Measure H. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin editorial · Oct 1, 2026

Warehouses and truck traffic

Where it standsIn September 2026, Councilman Jim Bowman asked colleagues to consider a hold on new warehouse construction; the council agreed to review the general plan instead of acting on a moratorium.

What's on the tableWhether to pause or limit new warehouse and logistics projects through the general plan or a moratorium.

Mayor Paul Leon suggested the council first study where warehouses stand before committing to a moratorium. HeySoCal · Sep 2, 2026
In June 2026 the Planning Commission voted 5-1 to continue a proposal adding 71.6 acres to the South Ontario Logistics Center Specific Plan. Ontario Planning Commission agenda packet, July 28, 2026 (includes minutes of June 23, 2026) · Jun 23, 2026

Term limits, campaign money and council pay

Where it standsOntario's municipal code sets no limit on campaign contributions, and Mayor Paul Leon has said the council should take up term limits.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt term limits and campaign contribution limits, and how to set council pay.

The municipal code imposes no limit on the campaign contributions a candidate for city office can receive. Ontario Municipal Code Sec. 2-10.06, Local Campaign Contribution Limits
At an August 2026 meeting, Mayor Paul Leon said the council should reconsider contribution limits and take up term limits. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin · Aug 19, 2026
Each council member's salary is set at $2,550 per month. Ontario Municipal Code, Title 2, Chapter 1 (council salaries and electoral system)
In October 2024 the council voted 3-1 to adopt Ordinance 3287 on council salary compensation, with Ruben Valencia voting no. Ontario City Council minutes, Oct. 15, 2024 · Oct 15, 2024

Utility rates and affordability

Where it standsIn October 2025 the council approved increases to water, sewer and solid waste rates on a 4-0 vote.

What's on the tableFuture utility rate changes and whether to expand discounts for low-income households.

The city received 39 written protests on the water rates, and no majority protest existed. Ontario City Council minutes, Oct. 7, 2025 · Oct 7, 2025
A $15-a-month discount on combined water, sewer and refuse bills is available only to qualifying low-income seniors and residents with disabilities. HeySoCal · Sep 2, 2026
Mayor Paul Leon asked staff to report within 60 days on how the city's assistance programs are performing. HeySoCal · Sep 2, 2026

Homelessness

Where it standsPhase 1 of the city-owned Ontario Wellness Center, a converted motel at 1522 W. Mission Blvd., opened in December 2025.

What's on the tableHow to fund and expand shelter and services, including the next phase of the Wellness Center.

The first phase includes 26 short-term units and eight emergency beds. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin · Dec 3, 2025
Referrals to the center are made through the city's CET officers and case managers. City of Ontario
The nonprofit Symba Center works with the city to provide medical, mental health and substance abuse services at the facility. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin · Dec 3, 2025

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 Ontario voters approve Measure H, a half-cent general sales tax?
2. Should Ontario stop approving new warehouses?
3. Should Ontario set term limits for the mayor and council members?
4. Ontario has no local limit on campaign contributions. Should it adopt one?
5. Should the council raise its own pay?
6. When costs rise, should Ontario raise water, sewer and trash rates?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Mail ballots go out; early voting beginsSan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: 2026 General ElectionOct 5, 2026
Voter registration deadline (same-day registration after)San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: 2026 General ElectionOct 19, 2026
Deadline to request a replacement mail ballotSan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: 2026 General ElectionOct 27, 2026
Election DaySan Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: 2026 General ElectionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

1 stay (not up this year): Debra Porada3 on this ballot

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

Ontario operates under the council-manager form of government, with a City Manager appointed by the City Council. City of Ontario
The mayor is elected at large and four council members are elected by district, all to four-year terms. Ontario Municipal Code, Title 2, Chapter 1 (council salaries and electoral system)
The mayor and Districts 2 and 3 are on the November 2026 ballot; Districts 1 and 4 are next elected in November 2028. City of Ontario
The mayor votes on council items with the four council members. Ontario City Council minutes, June 23, 2026 · Jun 23, 2026
The City Council meets at 6:30 PM on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. City of Ontario

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.