Visalia City Council District 5 · Nov 3, 2026
Steve Nelsen
Candidate for City Council District 5 (incumbent)
Steve Nelsen, the incumbent, is running for Visalia City Council District 5 in the Nov 3, 2026 election, against Esther Perez, Justin Stie and Jose Sosa Wences.
Vote-by-mail ballots start going out · Mon, Oct 5, 2026
TodayDistrict 5 council member and president of the Tulare County Sheriff's Foundation. He established the C.A.R.E. Foundation, which helps dementia and Alzheimer's patients and their loved ones, in January 2015.
- Occupation (from candidate statement)
- Incumbent
Where Steve Nelsen stands: positions on the record
Sales tax2 sourced positions
As reported by the Valley Voice
Said he disagreed with a sales tax measure and questioned whether voters would approve one in the current economy.
“I disagree on a sales tax measure.”
Own statementValley Voice · Mar 19, 2026
Voted no on a $45,000 voter survey on a possible local sales tax measure for November 2026 (failed 2-3, March 2026).
Council voteVisalia City Council minutes, March 2, 2026 · Mar 2, 2026
Aquatic center1 sourced position
Voted no on pursuing an aquatic facility with a 50-meter pool and recreational pool and directing staff to return with funding options (passed 3-2, Jan. 2026).
Council voteVisalia City Council minutes, Jan. 20, 2026 · Jan 20, 2026
Sam's Club project1 sourced position
Voted no on rejecting neighbors' appeal of a Sam's Club with a 28-pump gas station at Mooney Boulevard and Visalia Parkway (appeal rejected 3-2, Dec. 2024).
Council voteValley Voice · Dec 10, 2024
Riverway Sports Park fence1 sourced position
Voted yes on a $3.04 million contract to build fencing at Riverway Sports Park (passed 4-1, July 2025).
Council voteVisalia City Council minutes, July 21, 2025 · Jul 21, 2025
Tulare Avenue bike lanes1 sourced position
Voted yes on the Class IV bike lane design for the Tulare Avenue repaving project (passed 3-1, May 2026).
Council voteVisalia City Council minutes, May 18, 2026 · May 18, 2026
Cannabis businesses2 sourced positions
Voted no on drafting an ordinance that could let cannabis businesses operate (failed 2-3) and yes on a framework with the number of businesses set to zero (passed 4-1, March 2025).
Council voteVisalia City Council minutes, March 3, 2025 · Mar 3, 2025
As reported by The Sun-Gazette
Said the city's proposed annual payment from cannabis businesses was too low; the council raised it to $75,000 or 1.5% of annual income.
“I think we’re on the low end. I’d rather see us in the middle.”
Own statementThe Sun-Gazette · Jul 22, 2026
Civic Center Phase 31 sourced position
Voted yes on a $5.72 million design contract for Civic Center Phase 3 with a fourth floor and police training facility (passed 3-1, June 2026).
Council voteVisalia City Council minutes, June 1, 2026 · Jun 1, 2026
City budget1 sourced position
Voted yes on adopting the city's two-year budget for fiscal years 2026/27 and 2027/28 (passed 4-0, June 2026).
Council voteVisalia City Council minutes, June 15, 2026 · Jun 15, 2026
Also running for City Council District 5
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