Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Pittsburg City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 3

11 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council · Vote for up to 3

Dionne AdamsIncumbentPittsburg mayor and councilmember with more than 20 years of experience leading teams.5sourced
Carolynne BornRetired communications and public relations professional who now runs a pet-care business.3sourced
C.C. Cardinalli-MacalusoPittsburg native, full-time mother and former banking compliance officer.2sourced
Wolf CroskeyRuns a family real estate business on Railroad Avenue and has served as CEO of the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce.3sourced
Iztaccuauhtli Hector GonzalezBusiness owner, past president of the Contra Costa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and president of Pittsburg Rotary.2sourced
Pauline JohnsonEngineer and Pittsburg homeowner who built a four-language website on the data center documents.4sourced
Arlene KobataIncumbentCouncilmember appointed in January 2025 and former chair of the Pittsburg Planning Commission.3sourced
Mark LindeWithdrawnAnnounced his withdrawal from the City Council race on Sept. 11, 2026, per Bay Area News Group1sourced
Alvin NelsonHuman resources professional with more than 20 years of experience as a business leader.3sourced
Amhari PerkinsHealthcare professional and Pittsburg mother who says she worked in healthcare for more than a decade.3sourced
Sonja ShephardNavy veteran and 31-year Pittsburg resident who lists service as chair of a city commission.2sourced

Eleven candidates are on the city's list for three City Council seats; terms are four years.

2 notes on these statements

Mayor Dionne Adams recused herself from the July 30, 2026 data center workshop after receiving an FPPC advice letter, according to Contra Costa News. Contra Costa News · Aug 4, 2026

The city's list also shows City Clerk and City Treasurer contests on the same ballot; this guide covers the City Council only. City of Pittsburg · Oct 4, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Juan Antonio BanalesCouncil Member; term expires November 20283sourced Jelani KillingsCouncil Member; term expires November 20284sourced

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 decidesThe Pittsburg Technology Park data center, The budget deficit, Public notice and engagement on major projects Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

County election offices begin mailing ballots (by this date)

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

The Pittsburg Technology Park data center

Where it standsThe first phase of a 99-megawatt AVAIO data center was approved in 2024 and has not broken ground; phases 2 and 3 are not approved.

What's on the tableWhether to approve later phases and remaining agreements, and whether to set a moratorium or new standards.

In November 2024 the council certified the project's environmental report, and introduced the specific plan ordinance, both adopted unanimously. Pittsburg City Council minutes, Nov. 4, 2024 · Nov 4, 2024
City officials said phase one has all land-use approvals, no permits have been issued, and additional agreements still need City Council consideration. Bay Area News Group (Mercury News) · Aug 4, 2026
In August 2026 the city announced a citizens advisory committee with two councilmembers and 10 to 20 community members to recommend standards for future data centers. Bay Area News Group (Mercury News) · Aug 4, 2026
The city expects about $2.36 million a year in property and sales taxes from the facility and 30 permanent on-site jobs. Bay Area News Group (Mercury News) · Aug 4, 2026

The budget deficit

Where it standsThe city faces a $5 million structural deficit, expected to reach $7 million in 2027-28; the council agreed to more than $1.8 million in cuts in June 2026.

What's on the tableHow much more to cut, which services to protect, and what new revenue to pursue.

At its June 1, 2026 special meeting the council agreed to more than $1.8 million in cuts, including vacant police and city manager positions and library hours. The CC Pulse · Jun 8, 2026
Another $2.3 million in reductions, including closing Small World and Buchanan parks, was presented but not acted on. The CC Pulse · Jun 8, 2026
The June 15, 2026 council agenda included a resolution to set the transient occupancy tax rate at 12%. Pittsburg City Council agenda, June 15, 2026 · Jun 15, 2026

Public notice and engagement on major projects

Where it standsAfter more than 300 residents turned out in June 2026, the city added a workshop and says future data center proposals will go to the Planning Commission and council.

What's on the tableWhat notice and hearings the city requires before approving major projects.

The council heard more than 100 public comments at its June 15, 2026 meeting, mostly against the data center, many about transparency. Contra Costa News · Jun 16, 2026
The city announced a workshop on data center development with 10 days' agenda notice. City of Pittsburg · Jun 16, 2026
The city manager said he will not allow a future data center proposal to be approved at the zoning administrator level; the specific plan has not yet been changed. Bay Area News Group (Mercury News) · Aug 4, 2026

Financial controls after the phishing loss

Where it standsA February 2026 phishing incident sent $913,839.81 to a fraudulent account; the city recovered $696,241 and is pursuing insurance for the rest.

What's on the tableWhat financial controls and reporting the council requires.

The city says it implemented new ACH payment verification processes and workflow controls in response. City of Pittsburg · Aug 4, 2026
The city reports it initially recovered $696,241 and is pursuing insurance coverage for the remaining $217,598. City of Pittsburg · Aug 4, 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. A data center's first phase was approved in 2024, and phases 2 and 3 still need approvals. What should the council do about new data center applications?
2. Who should decide on future data center expansion in Pittsburg?
3. Pittsburg faces a $5 million structural deficit that is expected to reach $7 million in 2027-28. How should the city mainly close it?
4. The city lost money in a February 2026 phishing payment. What financial reporting should the council require?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

County election offices begin mailing ballots (by this date)California Secretary of StateOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote onlineCalifornia Secretary of StateOct 19, 2026
Election Day; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.California Secretary of StateNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Juan Antonio Banales, Jelani Killings3 on this ballot

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

The City Council has five members: Mayor Dionne Adams, Vice Mayor Angelica Lopez and council members Juan Antonio Banales, Arlene Kobata and Jelani Killings. City of Pittsburg · Dec 22, 2025
Council terms are four years; three seats are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. City of Pittsburg · Oct 4, 2026

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