Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Forest Grove Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 7

council seats up

2 contests

8 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 · Unopposed

Malynda WenzlIncumbentMayor; unopposed on the ballot3sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 3

Mallory Hiefield2sourced
Matthew S. KnightSmall-business owner who operates Knight Family Outlet and Rip City Cards and previously worked in capital equipment sales.3sourced
John LePariSoftware engineer who studied computer software engineering at Southwestern College in Kansas.2sourced
Karen MartinezIncumbentRegistered nurse and Forest Grove City Councilor first elected in November 2022, with a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Portland.3sourced
Chris MejiaTechnology consultant who works with the United Premier Soccer League and has served on the Forest Grove School District and city budget committees.2sourced
Sandra PereydaWorks for the Forest Grove School District and Black Dog Bar & Grill.2sourced
Mariana E. ValenzuelaIncumbentAssistant professor at Pacific University and Forest Grove City Council president, serving on the council since 2020.3sourced

Voters choose a mayor and up to three of seven council candidates, all citywide; the top three vote-getters win the council seats.

3 notes on these statements

Mayor Malynda Wenzl is the only candidate for mayor. Washington County · Aug 26, 2026

Councilor Michael Marshall, whose term expires at the end of the year, is not seeking reelection. Forest Grove News-Times · Sep 3, 2026

Sandra Pereyda did not respond to the News-Times candidate Q&A. Forest Grove News-Times · Sep 25, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Angel FalconerCouncilor; current term 2025-2029bio only Donna GustafsonCouncilor; current term 2025-20291sourced Brian SchimmelCouncilor; current term 2025-2029bio only

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesPolice facility bond, Sanctuary ordinance and immigration enforcement, Data centers and growth Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Police facility bond

Where it standsMeasure 34-353 asks voters for up to $29.5 million in bonds for a new police facility, after a similar measure failed in May 2025.

What's on the tableVoters decide the bond; the council would then oversee design, financing and construction if it passes.

The measure authorizes up to $29.5 million in general obligation bonds for a new police facility on city property. Washington County Voters' Pamphlet, Nov 3, 2026 (Forest Grove, p. WC-11 to WC-13) · Sep 18, 2026
The levy rate is estimated at $0.69 per $1,000 assessed value, about $193 a year for the average assessed home. Washington County Voters' Pamphlet, Nov 3, 2026 (Forest Grove, p. WC-11 to WC-13) · Sep 18, 2026
The May 2025 measure 34-343 failed in the certified count, 2,232 against (52.27%) to 2,038 in favor (47.73%). News in the Grove

Sanctuary ordinance and immigration enforcement

Where it standsIn January 2026 the council passed Ordinance 2025-04 adding sanctuary city rules to city code, 6-1.

What's on the tableHow the city carries out training, reporting and facility rules under the ordinance.

The council passed the ordinance 6-1 on January 12, 2026, with Karen Martinez the lone no vote. Hillsboro News-Times · Jan 14, 2026
The ordinance directs the city manager to develop policies and training for staff and establishes reporting requirements. Hillsboro News-Times · Jan 14, 2026

Data centers and growth

Where it standsThe council denied an appeal in October 2024 that cleared the way for a data center near Neal Armstrong Middle School; several 2026 candidates raise data centers.

What's on the tableFuture land-use and development decisions, including any limits on industrial development.

In October 2024 the council denied a resident's appeal of the planning commission's approval of a Crane Data Centers plan. KATU · Oct 14, 2024
Candidate Chris Mejia said Forest Grove should pause new data center development. Forest Grove News-Times · Sep 25, 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 would you vote on the $29.5 million police facility bond (Measure 34-353)?
2. What role should city government have in federal immigration enforcement?
3. How should Forest Grove handle new data center development?

Seat the Council →

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

Key dates

Last day to register to voteWashington County · Oct 5, 2026Oct 13, 2026
Ballots mailed to votersWashington County · Oct 5, 2026Oct 14, 2026
Election DayWashington County · Oct 5, 2026Nov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Angel Falconer, Donna Gustafson, Brian Schimmel4 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The council consists of a mayor and six councilors, each elected at large to a four-year term. City of Forest Grove · Oct 5, 2026
Forest Grove has a council-manager form of government. City of Forest Grove · Oct 5, 2026
Councilors and the mayor are not subject to term limits. Forest Grove News-Times · Sep 3, 2026

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