Salinas Mayor · Nov 3, 2026
Dennis Donohue
Candidate for Mayor (incumbent)
Dennis Donohue, the incumbent, is running for mayor of Salinas in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Peter Szalai, Daniel Muñoz and Hezekiah Gonzalez.
Ballots mailed; ballot return locations open · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayMayor of Salinas since 2024; he was previously mayor from 2006 to 2012.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- City of Salinas Mayor
- How the press groups them
- Monterey County Weekly listed him among the council members elected in 2024 who opposed the rent stabilization ordinances. Monterey County Weekly · Sep 17, 2026
- Campaign website
- www.reelectdonohueformayor.com
Where Dennis Donohue stands: positions on the record
Rent stabilization3 sourced positions
Voted yes on repealing the rental registry, rent stabilization, just-cause eviction and tenant anti-harassment ordinances (passed 5-2, June 2025).
Council voteSalinas City Council minutes, 2025-06-03 · Jun 3, 2025
Moved to repeal the council's own repeal ordinance (No. 2687); a substitute motion to send it to voters instead passed 4-3, with him voting no (Sept. 2025).
Council voteSalinas City Council minutes, 2025-09-23 · Sep 23, 2025
As reported by Monterey County Weekly
Says he is not taking a public position on Measure H so that the community can decide.
“I'm not taking a public position on H because as the mayor, I think it's important to let the community weigh in and decide”
Own statementMonterey County Weekly · Sep 14, 2026
Measure G2 sourced positions
As reported by Monterey County Weekly; not a direct quote
Supports Measure G, the renewal of the 1-cent sales tax.
Forum answerMonterey County Weekly · Sep 14, 2026
Voted yes on placing renewal of the 1-cent Measure G sales tax, with no end date, on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (passed 6-0, June 2026).
Council voteSalinas City Council minutes, 2026-06-02 · Jun 2, 2026
Homelessness1 sourced position
Voted yes on ordinances updating the prohibition on camping on public property and the rules on storing personal property there (passed 5-1, Feb. 2026).
Council voteSalinas City Council minutes, 2026-02-24 · Feb 24, 2026
Sewer rates1 sourced position
Voted yes on adopting sanitary sewer rate increases for 2025-2030 (passed 6-1, Sept. 2025).
Council voteSalinas City Council minutes, 2025-09-23 · Sep 23, 2025
Budget1 sourced position
Moved adoption of the city's two-year operating budget for 2026-27 and 2027-28 (passed 6-0, June 2026).
Council voteSalinas City Council minutes, 2026-06-16 · Jun 16, 2026
Priorities1 sourced position
His statement cites public safety, infrastructure, small business support, housing and technology in city services.
“We are increasing opportunities for affordable rental housing while working to grow the City's overall housing supply.”
Own statementCandidate statement filed for the Nov. 3, 2026 election (Monterey County Elections) · Aug 4, 2026
City Hall and governance1 sourced position
Voted yes on the resolution censuring Councilmember Andrew Sandoval (passed 5-1, January 2026).
Council voteSalinas City Council minutes, 2026-01-13 · Jan 13, 2026
Ran for office1 sourced position
Ran for Mayor of Salinas in 2024 (won).
Council voteMonterey County Elections · Dec 3, 2024
What Dennis Donohue said vs. how Dennis Donohue voted
Rent stabilization
In their words
Says he is not taking a public position on Measure H so that the community can decide.
Sep 14, 2026 ·As reported by Monterey County Weekly ·Monterey County Weekly · Sep 14, 2026
On the record
Moved to repeal the council's own repeal ordinance (No. 2687); a substitute motion to send it to voters instead passed 4-3, with him voting no (Sept. 2025).
Sep 23, 2025 ·Salinas City Council minutes, 2025-09-23 · Sep 23, 2025
Also running for Mayor
All 11 Salinas candidates →Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works →
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