Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

San Marcos Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

3 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 3, 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

Sharon JenkinsFormer Councilmember, District 3 (12 years, termed out in 2024)10sourced
Mike SannellaDeputy Mayor and Councilmember, District 2; term 2022–202615sourced

City Council District 1 · 1 seat

Thomas GabrieleEconomics teacher at Saint Joseph Academy in San Marcos and a technology entrepreneur. He is working on wispr, an online application that helps Realtors share private listing information.1sourced
María NuñezIncumbentCouncilmember, District 1; current term 2022–202613sourced

City Council District 2 · 1 seat

All voters pick one candidate for mayor; voters in District 1 or District 2 also pick one candidate for their district's council seat. The most votes wins each race.

5 notes on these statements

Mayor Rebecca Jones is running for the county Board of Supervisors, so the mayor's seat is open. San Diego Union-Tribune · Aug 21, 2026

Mike Sannella is running for mayor instead of a second council term, so the District 2 seat is open. San Diego Union-Tribune · Aug 21, 2026

The filing deadline for mayor and District 2 was extended to Aug. 12, 2026 because the incumbents did not file by Aug. 7. City of San Marcos

The San Diego County Democratic Party endorsed Sharon Jenkins and Justin Matsushita. KPBS · Sep 30, 2026

The Republican Party of San Diego County endorsed Mike Sannella, Thomas Gabriele and Lindsey Smith. KPBS · Sep 30, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Danielle LeBlangCouncilmember, District 3; term 2024–20285sourced Ed MusgroveCouncilmember, District 4; term 2024–202811sourced

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 decidesHomeless encampments, License plate readers, Measure Q sales tax and the budget Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Ballots start going out

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Homeless encampments

Where it standsA 2024 ordinance sets rules for encampments on city property.

What's on the tableHow to enforce the encampment rules and what help to offer homeless residents.

In July 2024 the council voted 4-1 to adopt an ordinance adding a chapter on encampments on city property to the municipal code. San Marcos City Council minutes, July 23, 2024 · Jul 23, 2024
In September 2024 the council voted 4-1 for a resolution supporting Proposition 36. San Marcos City Council minutes, Sept. 24, 2024 · Sep 24, 2024

License plate readers

Where it standsSan Marcos joined the Sheriff's Safe San Marcos program in 2024, which uses automated license plate readers.

What's on the tableWhether to pay for more cameras and how the readers are used.

In May 2024 the council voted 5-0 to join the Safe San Marcos program and approve the use of automated license plate readers. San Marcos City Council minutes, May 14, 2024 · May 14, 2024
The council also let the city manager spend funds, if and when available, to buy cameras for the Sheriff's Department. San Marcos City Council minutes, May 14, 2024 · May 14, 2024

Measure Q sales tax and the budget

Where it standsThe one-cent Measure Q sales tax, approved in 2024, puts $23.7 million into the 2026-27 budget.

What's on the tableHow to spend Measure Q money on fire, roads and parks each year.

The 2026-27 budget projects $104 million in General Fund revenues and $103.8 million in expenditures. The Coast News · Jun 10, 2026
The tax will be in effect for 10 years, and its uses are reviewed by the Measure Q Citizens' Oversight Committee. The Coast News · Jun 10, 2026
Fire Station 5 receives $8.4 million in this year's budget, including $4.5 million in Measure Q funds. The Coast News · Jun 10, 2026

Senior mobile home parks

Where it standsIn September 2026 the council advanced a permanent overlay zone to keep seven senior mobile home parks for older residents.

What's on the tableFinal approval of the overlay zone and how to enforce its senior residency rules.

In December 2024 the council voted 5-0 for a temporary moratorium on converting senior mobile home parks to all-ages parks. San Marcos City Council minutes, Dec. 2, 2024 (special meeting) · Dec 2, 2024
The overlay covers seven senior mobile home parks that are not owned by their residents. The Coast News · Sep 9, 2026
Under the new zoning, at least 80% of spaces in the parks must include at least one resident age 55 or older. The Coast News · Sep 9, 2026

Housing near Sprinter stations (SB 79)

Where it standsA state law, SB 79, allows denser housing near Sprinter stations. In July 2026 San Marcos adopted a local ordinance that exempts some areas for now.

What's on the tableHow to phase in SB 79 housing on exempted sites and how to plan for it in the General Plan update.

SANDAG's map lists the Palomar College, San Marcos Civic Center and Cal State San Marcos Sprinter stations as Tier 2 stops. The Coast News · Jul 16, 2026
The city ordinance exempts areas in high fire zones and those without a direct walking path to a transit stop. The Coast News · Jul 16, 2026
The city has until 2031 to phase in development on the fire-hazard sites or move that housing capacity elsewhere. The Coast News · Jul 16, 2026

San Marcos Boulevard

Where it standsThe 2026-27 budget funds reconstruction of part of San Marcos Boulevard and a corridor plan for it.

What's on the tableWhat San Marcos Boulevard should become as it is rebuilt.

The budget includes $11.6 million to reconstruct the boulevard from Knoll Road to Rancho Santa Fe Road. The Coast News · Jun 10, 2026
A $3.9 million multiway project will realign sidewalks and add bike lanes separated from traffic. The Coast News · Jun 10, 2026
The city is updating the Creek Specific Plan to lay the groundwork for an arts and entertainment hub in the Creek District. The Coast News · Jul 31, 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. Should San Marcos prohibit encampments on city property?
2. Should the Sheriff use automated license plate readers in San Marcos?
3. Should San Marcos keep its senior mobile home parks reserved for residents 55 and older?
4. How should San Marcos carry out SB 79, the state law allowing denser housing near Sprinter stations?
5. Should San Marcos Boulevard be rebuilt as a walkable entertainment district?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Ballots start going outSan Diego County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Conditional voter registration beginsSan Diego County Registrar of VotersOct 20, 2026
Select vote centers openSan Diego County Registrar of VotersOct 24, 2026
All vote centers openSan Diego County Registrar of VotersOct 31, 2026
Election DaySan Diego County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Danielle LeBlang, Ed Musgrove3 on this ballot

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

San Marcos is a charter city governed by a five-member City Council: a mayor elected citywide and four council members elected by district. City of San Marcos
Terms are four years, with a limit of three consecutive terms for each position. City of San Marcos
The 2026 election is for mayor and the District 1 and District 2 council seats; Districts 3 and 4 are elected in 2028. City of San Marcos
The mayor votes on council items; roll calls list the mayor with the other members. San Marcos City Council minutes, Sept. 8, 2026 · Sep 8, 2026

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