Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Temecula City Council Election 2026

1 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 1

4 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 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 District 5 · 1 seat

Yuan HawkesYuan Hawkes is a former research scientist with a PhD in molecular genetics. She served on Temecula's Community Services Commission from 2022 to 2025 and on the Springs Charter School board from 2019 to 2022.3sourced
Laurel LaMontLaurel LaMont has been a Trader Joe's crew member since 2008 and founded Upward Community.4sourced
Zak SchwankIncumbentZak Schwank has represented District 5 on the Temecula City Council since 2018. He served on the city's Community Services Commission from 2013 to 2018 and was mayor in 2023.12sourced
Russell ShirleyRussell Shirley is a firefighter paramedic and veteran who lives in Temecula.4sourced

Only voters in District 5 vote in this race; the District 1 and 3 contests were cancelled after their unopposed nominees were appointed.

1 note on these statements

District 5 is the only Temecula council contest on the ballot; Matt Rahn and Brenden Kalfus were unopposed and appointed in August 2026. City of Temecula City Clerk

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jessica AlexanderMayor (2026), District 2; council term ends 20288sourced Brenden KalfusCouncilmember, District 3; appointed unopposed to a new term from Jan. 1, 2027 to Dec. 31, 20308sourced Matt RahnCouncilmember, District 1; appointed unopposed to a new term from Jan. 1, 2027 to Dec. 31, 20308sourced James "Stew" StewartCouncilmember, District 4; term ends 20288sourced

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 decidesSDG&E power line route, Road diets and traffic, General Plan update Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Vote-by-mail ballots begin mailing

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

SDG&E power line route

Where it standsSDG&E and the state grid operator propose a 500-kilovolt line through southern Temecula; the council formally opposed the route in July 2026.

What's on the tableHow hard and how expensively the city fights the route as state regulators review it.

The Golden Pacific Powerlink would be a new 500-kilovolt transmission line crossing southern Temecula, including the Temecula Creek corridor. City of Temecula agenda report · Jul 14, 2026
On July 14, 2026, the council voted 5-0 for a resolution opposing the project as proposed through Temecula. Temecula City Council action minutes, July 14, 2026 · Jul 14, 2026
The California Public Utilities Commission will approve the final route. The Riverside Record · Jul 15, 2026
The council declared its intent to take legal action and hired attorneys for the case before the CPUC. The Riverside Record · Jul 15, 2026

Road diets and traffic

Where it standsStaff proposed "road diet" striping for Pauba Road in March 2026; the council rejected it and chose another layout 3-2 in May.

What's on the tableWhether future repaving projects trade car lanes for other uses, as traffic remains a top campaign issue.

The Pauba Road project repaves about 1.4 miles between Margarita Road and Ynez Road, at an estimated $3.1 million. City of Temecula agenda report · Mar 24, 2026
In March 2026 staff recommended road diet striping for Pauba Road, and the council did not approve it. City of Temecula agenda report · May 26, 2026
On May 26, 2026, the council approved striping alternative 3 by a 3-2 vote. Temecula City Council action minutes, May 26, 2026 · May 26, 2026

General Plan update

Where it standsThe city is rewriting its General Plan; the council and Planning Commission backed draft land use concepts in 2026.

What's on the tableWhere homes, jobs and shops can go for the next 20 years, when the plan and its environmental review return.

The draft land use report says Temecula is largely built out and focuses on targeted reinvestment in specific locations. City of Temecula agenda report · May 26, 2026
The Planning Commission and City Council supported the land use concepts and parcel changes in the draft report. City of Temecula agenda report · Sep 8, 2026
Staff expects to return to the council in November on the plan's environmental review. City of Temecula agenda report · Sep 8, 2026
In May 2025 the council voted 3-2 to update accessory dwelling unit rules to match state law. Temecula City Council action minutes, May 27, 2025 · May 27, 2025

Budget and public safety costs

Where it standsThe FY 2026-27 budget, adopted 5-0 in June 2026, is balanced; public safety is 58% of General Fund spending.

What's on the tableHow to cover rising sheriff and fire contract costs while keeping reserves and services.

Public safety makes up 58% of General Fund spending in the FY 2026-27 budget. City of Temecula · Jun 9, 2026
The budget includes cuts to partly absorb rising public safety costs. City of Temecula · Jun 9, 2026
The budget makes the final payment in the city's debt and pension paydown strategy. City of Temecula · Jun 9, 2026
The fire department keeps four firefighters per engine at all five fire stations. City of Temecula · Jun 9, 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. How should Temecula respond to SDG&E's proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink route through the city?
2. When repaving a road, should Temecula remove car lanes for other uses (a "road diet") if staff recommend it?
3. As the General Plan is rewritten, how should Temecula handle new housing?
4. Should the city spend more to add fire and police staffing?
5. Should Temecula borrow money to pay for major projects?

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 begin mailingRiverside County Registrar of VotersOct 5, 2026
Last day to register to voteRiverside County Registrar of VotersOct 19, 2026
Election DayCity of Temecula City ClerkNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Jessica Alexander, Brenden Kalfus, Matt Rahn, James "Stew" Stewart1 on this ballot

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

Temecula is a general law city with a five-member City Council; each member is elected by the voters of their district. City of Temecula City Clerk
The council selects the mayor and mayor pro tem from among its members, typically for a calendar year. City of Temecula City Clerk
Matt Rahn (District 1) and Brenden Kalfus (District 3) were appointed to new terms from 2027 to 2030 as sole nominees. City of Temecula City Clerk
Districts 2 and 4 will be on the ballot in November 2028. City of Temecula City Clerk

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