Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Paso Robles Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

8 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 · 1 seat

Bill BrittonRetired Air Force officer and former Cal Poly chief information officer. He has served as a Paso Robles airport commissioner.3sourced
Faith FrankelFamily physician in North County who has lived in Paso Robles since age 7. She says she hopes to be the city's first female mayor.4sourced
Chris RogallaOwner of Rogue Candle Company in Paso Robles. He moved back to the city with his family and is running for mayor.4sourced

City Council District 1 · 1 seat

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

Voters elect the mayor citywide and a councilmember in each of Districts 1 and 2; District 3 and 4 members are not on this ballot.

2 notes on these statements

Incumbent Chris Bausch did not respond to The Tribune's multiple requests for comment for its voter guide. The Tribune, Voter guide for Paso Robles mayor, City Council races

The Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce held forums on Sept. 29 for Districts 1 and 2 and on Oct. 1 for mayor; all eight candidates took part. The Tribune, Paso Robles candidates debate government accountability

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Steve GregoryCouncilmember, District 35sourced Fred StrongCouncilmember, District 43sourced

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

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesAirport spaceport license, Cannabis delivery rules, Housing and development Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Early voting begins at the SLO Elections Office

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Airport spaceport license

Where it standsThe city is preparing an FAA application to license a spaceport at its municipal airport; results of the consultant search go to the council Oct. 6.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee the consultant agreement, the application and any city funding for it.

On March 4, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to direct staff to prepare a request for proposals for a firm to complete the FAA commercial spaceport license application. Paso Robles Joint Council/Commissions Special Meeting minutes, March 4, 2026 · Mar 4, 2026
The city has been working on its spaceport application since 2022, and the final application could be submitted to the FAA within two years. The Tribune, Where do Paso Robles candidates stand on city's spaceport push?
The council is to receive the results of the spaceport consulting request for proposals at its Oct. 6 meeting. KPRL, Spaceport Consultant RFP Headed to October 6th City Council Meeting · Sep 24, 2026

Cannabis delivery rules

Where it standsThe council adopted Ordinance 1173 on Sept. 1, 2026, allowing locally based delivery-only cannabis businesses; storefronts remain prohibited.

What's on the tableThe next council will oversee permits and fees under the new rules and any future decision on storefronts.

Ordinance 1173 was adopted Sept. 1, 2026 by a 3-0 vote with two members absent. Paso Robles Ordinance 1173 N.S. (cannabis), adopted Sept. 1, 2026 · Sep 1, 2026
The council removed the city's three-business limit on locally based cannabis delivery businesses and kept the ban on storefront sales. Paso Robles Daily News, City Council advances cannabis delivery ordinance · Aug 21, 2026
In August 2025 the council voted 4-1 to let existing delivery businesses serve adult-use customers and to begin work on a possible storefront framework. Paso Robles Daily News, City council votes to allow adult-use cannabis delivery · Aug 22, 2025

Housing and development

Where it standsThe council approved the Oak at Ardmore housing project in April 2026 and in August delayed the sale of Pioneer Park.

What's on the tableThe next council will rule on development projects, density allocations and the future of city-owned land such as Pioneer Park.

On April 21, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to approve the Oak at Ardmore project, including a rezone and 154 surplus density units. Paso Robles City Council minutes, April 21, 2026 · Apr 21, 2026
The council voted 4-1 in August 2026 to delay the sale of the roughly 1.65-acre Pioneer Park property and direct staff to meet interested parties. Paso Robles Daily News, City Council advances cannabis delivery ordinance · Aug 21, 2026

City budget and roads

Where it standsThe council adopted a two-year budget in June 2026 that includes a $54.6 million general fund for 2026/27.

What's on the tableThe next council will carry out the budget and strategic work plan amid what staff describe as flattening tax revenues.

The council unanimously adopted the 2026/27 and 2027/28 budgets on June 16, 2026, with a general fund of $54.6 million in 2026/27. City of Paso Robles, Council Adopts Budget, Inaugural Vision Statement and Strategic Work Plan · Jun 18, 2026
The city says it faces flattening tax revenues and inflationary pressures. City of Paso Robles, Council Adopts Budget, Inaugural Vision Statement and Strategic Work Plan · Jun 18, 2026

Council conduct and public records

Where it standsCandidates were asked at the Chamber of Commerce forums about trust and council conduct after a costly dispute involving a former city manager.

What's on the tableThe next council will set expectations for conduct and how public records are handled.

The city and its insurer paid out more than $841,000 in settlements and legal bills tied to the dispute and a related public-records lawsuit. The Tribune, Paso Robles candidates debate government accountability
The city has moved to a fully electronic system for requesting public documents, according to candidate Linda George. The Tribune, Voter guide for Paso Robles mayor, City Council races

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 Paso Robles handle the FAA spaceport license for its airport?
2. What should the city allow for cannabis sales?
3. How should the council treat new housing proposals?
4. How should the city handle public records?
5. How should the city resolve disputes among elected officials?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Ballots begin mailingSLO County Clerk-Recorder, November 3, 2026, General ElectionSep 30, 2026
Drop boxes openSLO County Clerk-Recorder, November 3, 2026, General ElectionOct 1, 2026
Early voting begins at the SLO Elections OfficeSLO County Clerk-Recorder, November 3, 2026, General ElectionOct 5, 2026
Last day to register online to voteSLO County Clerk-Recorder, November 3, 2026, General ElectionOct 19, 2026
Election Day (polls open 7am to 8pm)SLO County Clerk-Recorder, November 3, 2026, General ElectionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Steve Gregory, Fred Strong3 on this ballot

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

The council has a mayor and four district councilmembers (Districts 1 through 4). City of Paso Robles, City Council Announces Reorganization · Dec 26, 2024
Voters will elect a mayor and two City Council members in the November 2026 election. The Tribune, Who's running for Paso Robles mayor and City Council

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