Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Walnut City Council Election 2026

2 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 2

4 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.

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Richard "Ritchie" CajulisIncumbentWalnut councilmember with an engineering and IT background who served on the Parks and Recreation Commission.5sourced
Stefanie LeiluaOffice manager who served as Walnut NJB Administrator for five years.2sourced
Allen WuIncumbentWalnut councilmember since 2018 with a Ph.D. in civil engineering from USC. He lists service on the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Walnut Valley Water District board.7sourced
Hong "Diana" ZhaoBusiness owner and licensed clinical social worker running for Walnut City Council.2sourced

Voters citywide choose two of the five City Council seats on Nov. 3, 2026.

1 note on these statements

Two seats are on the ballot. The qualified candidates are Allen Wu, Richard "Ritchie" Cajulis, Hong "Diana" Zhao and Stefanie Leilua. City of Walnut

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Linda FreedmanCouncilmember3sourced Kaylee May LawCouncilmember4sourced Nancy TragarzCouncilmember4sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesHousing and development, E-bikes, traffic and public safety, City budget and spending Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Election Day

Tue, Nov 3, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Housing and development

Where it standsIn early 2026 the council approved the 27-home Brookside subdivision and a 42-unit project on Valley Boulevard.

What's on the tableWhich housing projects and zoning changes the next council approves, and with what conditions.

On Jan. 28, 2026 the council certified the Brookside Final EIR 4-1 and approved Tentative Tract Map 72798 for 27 single-family homes 3-2. Walnut City Council minutes, Jan. 28, 2026 · Jan 28, 2026
The City Attorney explained the limited discretion the city has regarding the Brookside project. Walnut City Council minutes, Jan. 28, 2026 · Jan 28, 2026
On Feb. 25, 2026 the council approved the 42-unit residential project at 20003 Valley Boulevard 4-0, with one member absent. Walnut City Council minutes, Feb. 25, 2026 · Feb 25, 2026

E-bikes, traffic and public safety

Where it standsThe council introduced an e-bike and motorized scooter ordinance in March 2026 and took up a citywide speed survey.

What's on the tableHow the city enforces e-bike rules and sets speed limits, and how it funds public safety.

On Mar. 11, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to introduce Ordinance 26-04 regulating electric bicycles, motorized bicycles and motorized scooters. Walnut City Council minutes, Mar. 11, 2026 · Mar 11, 2026
Staff reported the e-bike ordinance was reviewed by the Traffic Safety Committee and the Sheriff's Department. Walnut City Council minutes, Mar. 11, 2026 · Mar 11, 2026
On Mar. 11, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to continue the 2025 Citywide Speed Survey item. Walnut City Council minutes, Mar. 11, 2026 · Mar 11, 2026

City budget and spending

Where it standsThe council handles routine budget appropriations and assessments through 2026, including a split vote on council travel.

What's on the tableHow the city budgets, what it spends on council functions, and whether to change assessments.

On Feb. 25, 2026 the council approved a $3,300 General Fund reserve appropriation for the mayor's out-of-state travel, 2-1 with one abstention and one absent. Walnut City Council minutes, Feb. 25, 2026 · Feb 25, 2026
On May 13, 2026 the council voted 4-0 to set 2026-27 Lighting and Open Space Maintenance District No. 1 assessments, with one member absent. Walnut City Council minutes, May 13, 2026 · May 13, 2026

Parks and trails

Where it standsThe council approved a trail fencing replacement program in April 2026.

What's on the tableHow the city funds and schedules trail and park upgrades.

On Apr. 8, 2026 the council voted 5-0 to approve the trail fencing replacement program with an additive alternative for more fencing along Amar Road. Walnut City Council minutes, Apr. 8, 2026 · Apr 8, 2026
Staff said the program would run in two phases, the second in fiscal year 2027-28. Walnut City Council minutes, Apr. 8, 2026 · Apr 8, 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 the council treat a large housing project when state law limits the city's discretion?
2. How should Walnut handle e-bikes and motorized scooters?
3. Where should the city focus public safety resources?
4. What should the city commit to on taxes?
5. How should the council treat funding for members' out-of-state conference travel?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Election DayCity of WalnutNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Linda Freedman, Kaylee May Law, Nancy Tragarz2 on this ballot

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

The City Council has five councilmembers elected at-large to four-year terms. City of Walnut
Council elections are held every two years on a rotating schedule. City of Walnut
The council selects a new mayor and mayor pro tem from among its members every twelve months, at its first July meeting. City of Walnut

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