Simi Valley, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Simi Valley City Council District 1 · Nov 3, 2026

Joseph Ayala

Candidate for City Council District 1 (incumbent)

15 candidates · 4 seats12 sourced positions

Joseph Ayala, the incumbent, is running for Simi Valley City Council District 1 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Jill Abele, Anthony Thompson and Todd Taylor.

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Mail ballots sent to active registered voters · Mon, Oct 5, 2026

Today

District 1 councilmember, appointed in February 2025; a director at Teradata and a lecturer at CSU Northridge.

Occupation (from candidate statement)
Appointed Incumbent
Endorsed by
Lists endorsements from the Simi Valley Police Officers Association, the Ventura County Professional Firefighters' Association, SEIU Local 721 and the Central Coast Labor Council, among others. Joseph Ayala campaign site
Campaign website
electjosephayala.com

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Joseph Ayala was appointed in February 2025 to fill the District 1 vacancy created when Dee Dee Cavanaugh became mayor after the death of Mayor Fred Thomas. Simi Valley Acorn · Aug 22, 2026

Where Joseph Ayala stands: positions on the record

Measure A (hotel tax)3 sourced positions

  • Council remarks as reported by the Simi Valley Acorn

    Said the hotel tax increase would give the city a continuing revenue stream for public safety, infrastructure and essential services.

    “What's nice about this is it's a continuous funding stream, not just one-time dollars. So, this money we can count on year after year to continue to invest in those services”

    Own statementSimi Valley Acorn · Jun 13, 2026

  • As reported by the Simi Valley Acorn; not a direct quote

    Proposed raising the hotel tax from 10% to 12% during his February 2025 interview for the council appointment.

    Forum answerSimi Valley Acorn · Mar 1, 2025

  • Voted yes on placing Measure A, raising the hotel and short-term lodging tax from 10% to 12%, on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot (passed 5-0, June 2026).

    Council voteSimi Valley City Council minutes, 2026-06-08 · Jun 8, 2026

Budget1 sourced position
Homelessness2 sourced positions

  • Voted yes on letting the Samaritan Center study four city-owned properties for a transitional housing project (passed 4-1, July 2026).

    Council voteSimi Valley City Council minutes, 2026-07-27 · Jul 27, 2026

  • Council remarks as reported by the Simi Valley Acorn

    Said the Samaritan Center's transitional housing model, with requirements and built-in services, gives people a better chance to stay housed.

    “It's not just putting people into housing and hoping it works”

    Own statementSimi Valley Acorn · Jun 20, 2026

Housing density1 sourced position
Short-term rentals1 sourced position
Affordable housing2 sourced positions
Utility rates1 sourced position
Town Center1 sourced position

What Joseph Ayala said vs. how Joseph Ayala voted

Measure A (hotel tax)

In their words

  • Proposed raising the hotel tax from 10% to 12% during his February 2025 interview for the council appointment.

    Mar 1, 2025 ·As reported by the Simi Valley Acorn; not a direct quote ·Simi Valley Acorn · Mar 1, 2025

On the record

Also running for City Council District 1

All 15 Simi Valley candidates →

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