Palmdale City Council District 3 · Nov 3, 2026
Laura Bettencourt
Candidate for City Council District 3 (incumbent)
Laura Bettencourt, the incumbent, is running for Palmdale City Council District 3 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Carlos D. Cordero, Jeremiah Farrell, Franzelle Louis Johnson Jr. and Anain Robles.
Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayLaura Bettencourt is a crime and intelligence analyst for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. She represents District 3 on the City Council and was first elected to the council in 2009.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Councilmember/Crime Analyst
Where Laura Bettencourt stands: positions on the record
Elected mayor2 sourced positions
Supported keeping the council's rotating mayor system while backing a public vote on the question.
“Leave it up to the public. Let them decide,”
Own statementAntelope Valley Press · Jul 25, 2026
Voted yes on placing a measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot to create a directly elected mayor starting in 2028 (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council votePalmdale City Council agenda packet, Sept. 1, 2026 (draft minutes of July 7 and Aug. 4, 2026) · Sep 1, 2026
Sales tax (Measure PD)1 sourced position
Voted yes on delaying the next phased increases of the Measure PD sales tax and requesting an analysis of a full repeal (passed 4-0, August 2026).
Council votePalmdale City Council agenda packet, Sept. 1, 2026 (draft minutes of July 7 and Aug. 4, 2026) · Sep 1, 2026
City contracts1 sourced position
Voted yes on extending the Tripepi Smith communications contract to a total of up to $5,552,000 through December 2028 (passed 3-2, July 2026).
Council votePalmdale City Council agenda packet, Sept. 1, 2026 (draft minutes of July 7 and Aug. 4, 2026) · Sep 1, 2026
City manager1 sourced position
Voted yes on the employment agreement making Salvador Mendez city manager (passed 3-2, March 2026).
Council votePalmdale City Council minutes, March 3, 2026 · Mar 3, 2026
How the mayor is chosen1 sourced position
Voted yes on Ordinance No. 1655, which has the council select the mayor and mayor pro tem each year by majority vote (passed 4-1, April 2025).
Council votePalmdale City Council minutes, April 1, 2025 · Apr 1, 2025
Council actions1 sourced position
Voted yes on removing Richard J. Loa from the ceremonial title of mayor and from all city assignments (passed 3-1, July 2025).
Council votePalmdale City Council minutes, July 15, 2025 · Jul 15, 2025
Council pay and benefits1 sourced position
Voted yes on resolutions setting executive staff compensation and creating a medical benefit program for active councilmembers (passed 4-1, July 2026).
Council votePalmdale City Council agenda packet, Sept. 1, 2026 (draft minutes of July 7 and Aug. 4, 2026) · Sep 1, 2026
Development1 sourced position
Voted no on Ordinance No. 1652 and Resolution No. CC 2025-011, approving a zone change and permits for a Beyond Foods project (passed 4-1, March 2025).
Council votePalmdale City Council minutes, March 4, 2025 · Mar 4, 2025
Priorities1 sourced position
Lists improving streets, parks, pools and community spaces, expanding youth programs, and addressing homelessness and mental health among her priorities.
“Improving our streets, parks, pools and community spaces”
Own statementLos Angeles County candidate statement · Sep 29, 2026
Past races1 sourced position
Ran for Palmdale City Council, District 3 in 2022 (won).
Own statementLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk: Election results, Nov. 8, 2022 General Election · Dec 5, 2022
Also running for City Council District 3
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