Orange Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Dan Slater
Candidate for Mayor (incumbent)
Dan Slater, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Orange in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Arianna Barrios.
Vote-by-mail ballots available · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayElected mayor in 2022 and re-elected in 2024; served on the City Council from 1994 to 2002. A residential real estate broker in Old Towne and former president of the Old Towne Preservation Association and the Orange Chamber of Commerce.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Orange Mayor/Businessman
- Endorsed by
- Orange City Firefighters, Congressmember Young Kim, Assemblymember Avelino Valencia and, in his words, "most of our City Council" Dan Slater
- Campaign website
- www.mayordanslater.com
Where Dan Slater stands: positions on the record
Sales tax3 sourced positions
As reported by Voice of OC
Said in September 2026 that voters will approve the sales tax measure, and agreed the city needs a contingency plan if it fails.
“The voters of Orange are going to approve the sales tax measure.”
Own statementVoice of OC · Sep 14, 2026
Was designated by the council to prepare and file the ballot argument in favor of the sales tax measure (June 2026).
Council voteOrange City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 special meeting · Jun 3, 2026
Voted yes on placing a 1-cent, 13-year sales tax measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (passed 5-1, June 2026).
Council voteOrange City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 special meeting · Jun 3, 2026
Hotel tax1 sourced position
Was authorized by the council, with Councilmember Barrios, to file written arguments in favor of the hotel tax measure (May 2026).
Council voteOrange City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026
City charter1 sourced position
Voted yes on placing the proposed city charter on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (passed 4-3, July 2026).
Council voteOrange City Council minutes, July 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026
Term limits1 sourced position
Candidate statement filed with the Orange County Registrar of Voters
His ballot statement says he will honor existing term limits and this is his last run for any elected office in Orange.
“I will honor existing term limits: this will be the last time I seek any elected position in Orange.”
Own statementDan Slater
Car rebate1 sourced position
Voted yes on a car-purchase rebate program with five Orange franchised dealerships, contingent on voters passing the sales tax (passed 4-2, Aug. 2026).
Council voteOrange City Council minutes, Aug. 11, 2026 · Aug 11, 2026
Public safety1 sourced position
Voted yes on a two-year, $387,280 agreement for Flock license plate camera licenses and services (passed 6-1, May 2026).
Council voteOrange City Council minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026
Annexation1 sourced position
Made the motion, which passed 5-2 in August 2026, directing the city manager to pursue annexing four unincorporated county islands.
Council voteOrange City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
Open space2 sourced positions
Voted yes on agreements for the future transfer of the 67.7-acre former Sully-Miller property to the city as permanent open space (passed 7-0, Aug. 2026).
Council voteOrange City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
His campaign plan lists finalizing the plan to restore the Sully-Miller property to permanent open space.
Own statementDan Slater campaign site
Budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on adopting the fiscal 2026-27 city budget (passed 6-1, June 2026).
Council voteOrange City Council minutes, June 9, 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
City manager1 sourced position
Voted yes on the employment agreement with City Manager Jarad Hildenbrand (passed 5-2, June 2025).
Council voteOrange City Council minutes, June 24, 2025 · Jun 24, 2025
Past candidacies1 sourced position
Ran for Mayor of Orange in 2024 (won).
Own statementCity of Orange · Nov 5, 2024
What Dan Slater said vs. how Dan Slater voted
Sales tax
In their words
Said in September 2026 that voters will approve the sales tax measure, and agreed the city needs a contingency plan if it fails.
Sep 14, 2026 ·As reported by Voice of OC ·Voice of OC · Sep 14, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on placing a 1-cent, 13-year sales tax measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (passed 5-1, June 2026).
Jun 3, 2026 ·Orange City Council minutes, June 3, 2026 special meeting · Jun 3, 2026
Open space
In their words
His campaign plan lists finalizing the plan to restore the Sully-Miller property to permanent open space.
On the record
Voted yes on agreements for the future transfer of the 67.7-acre former Sully-Miller property to the city as permanent open space (passed 7-0, Aug. 2026).
Aug 25, 2026 ·Orange City Council minutes, Aug. 25, 2026 · Aug 25, 2026
Also running for Mayor
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