Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Suisun City Mayor & Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

9 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

Chauncey BanksChauncey Banks is a Suisun City entrepreneur running for mayor.3sourced
Lilia DardonLilia Dardon is a retired special education teacher in Suisun City. She is a former Parks, Recreation, Marina and Arts Commissioner.3sourced
Alma HernandezIncumbentAlma Hernandez is the incumbent mayor of Suisun City and a project manager. She lists more than 20 years of community leadership experience.10sourced
Michael JeffersonMichael Jefferson is a community organizer running for mayor of Suisun City.2sourced
Amit PalAmit Pal is a Suisun City councilmember and small business owner. He has served as a volunteer police cadet and as a Planning Commissioner.9sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Voters choose one candidate for mayor and up to two candidates for City Council.

2 notes on these statements

The terms of Mayor Alma Hernandez, Jenalee Dawson and Princess Washington expire in November 2026. City of Suisun City

Amit Pal is listed as a candidate for Mayor, not for a City Council seat. City of Suisun City · Sep 29, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Parise ShepherdCouncilmember; term ends November 20288sourced

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 decidesCalifornia Forever annexation, Budget shortfall, Downtown and local business Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

In-person early voting with vote-by-mail ballots begins at the elections office

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

California Forever annexation

Where it standsCouncil has been exploring annexing land near the city, including California Forever land, and KQED reports the election is seen as a referendum on that megadevelopment.

What's on the tableWhether to continue annexation talks and what the public approves before any annexation goes forward.

In April 2025 the council authorized staff to move forward with annexation efforts in coordination with California Forever. Suisun City agenda packet, Aug. 19, 2025 (staff report on the California Forever reimbursement agreement) · Aug 19, 2025
The council approved a reimbursement agreement with California Forever on June 10, 2025. Suisun City agenda packet, Aug. 19, 2025 (staff report on the California Forever reimbursement agreement) · Aug 19, 2025
In April 2025 the council voted 4-1 on a memorandum of understanding with Rio Vista to explore annexation and regional planning. Suisun City Council minutes, April 15, 2025 (draft, in May 6, 2025 agenda packet) · Apr 15, 2025
KQED reports the council race is seen as a referendum on the California Forever megadevelopment itself. KQED Voter Guide

Budget shortfall

Where it standsA city budget presentation says Suisun City has an ongoing General Fund shortfall of more than $6 million.

What's on the tableHow to balance the budget through reserves, service levels and new revenue.

A city mid-year budget slide says the city has a structural deficit of over $6 million. Suisun City agenda packet, Sept. 17, 2026 · Sep 17, 2026
The council adopted the Fiscal Year 2025-26 annual budget by a 4-1 vote in June 2025. Suisun City Council minutes, June 24, 2025 (draft, in July 15, 2025 agenda packet) · Jun 24, 2025
In 2025 city staff projected a General Fund shortfall of $1.3 million to $1.8 million for Fiscal Year 2025-26, depending on the California Forever reimbursement agreement. Suisun City agenda packet, Sept. 17, 2026 · Sep 17, 2026

Downtown and local business

Where it standsThe council has approved entertainment zones and downtown housing, while candidates differ on how to fill empty storefronts.

What's on the tableWhat the city does to support small businesses and fill vacant downtown and waterfront space.

In September 2025 the council voted 5-0 to introduce an ordinance creating entertainment zones, with added zones along Main Street. Suisun City Council minutes, Sept. 16, 2025 (draft, in Oct. 21, 2025 agenda packet) · Sep 16, 2025
In August 2025 the council voted 3-1 to approve a 20-unit multi-family project at 400 Main Street. Suisun City Council minutes, Aug. 19, 2025 (draft, in Sept. 16, 2025 agenda packet) · Aug 19, 2025

City services and staffing

Where it standsCity staff say most departments are staffed at 75% or less of benchmark levels, and the council has voted on staffing and finance plans.

What's on the tableHow to staff and fund police, fire and other city services.

A 2025 city staff report says most departments have 75% or lower staffing levels compared with benchmarks. Suisun City agenda packet, Sept. 17, 2026 · Sep 17, 2026
The council's Sept. 17, 2026 agenda included a discussion of Police Department staffing and current operational impacts. Suisun City agenda packet, Sept. 17, 2026 · Sep 17, 2026
In April 2026 the council voted 3-1 on an organizational realignment and strategic staffing plan for three departments. Suisun City Council minutes, April 21, 2026 (draft, in May 26, 2026 agenda packet) · Apr 21, 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 Suisun City continue talks about annexing California Forever land?
2. Should residents vote on annexation before the council decides?
3. What is the best way to fill empty downtown and waterfront storefronts?
4. What should come first in improving city services?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Vote-by-mail ballots may begin mailing (window opens)Solano County Registrar of VotersSep 15, 2026
In-person early voting with vote-by-mail ballots begins at the elections officeSolano County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to vote (conditional registration after)Solano County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Election DaySolano County Registrar of VotersNov 3, 2026

The seat math

1 stay (not up this year): Parise Shepherd3 on this ballot

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

The City Council page lists a mayor and four councilmembers. City of Suisun City
The mayor and City Council are elected independently in nonpartisan elections to serve four-year terms. City of Suisun City
The November 3, 2026 election fills one mayor seat and two City Council seats for full four-year terms. City of Suisun City
The City Council holds regular meetings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. City of Suisun City

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