Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

San Marcos Mayor & City Council Election 2026

4 of 7

council seats up

4 contests

9 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 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

Amanda RodriguezSan Marcos City Council Place 6 member and former state legislative director.6sourced
Ryan ThomasonCandidate for Mayor; former San Marcos councilmember4sourced

City Council Place 3 · 1 seat

Alyssa GarzaIncumbentCouncilmember, Place 3; term ends 20265sourced
Jane Garnette HughsonSan Marcos mayor since 2018 who retired from Texas State University after 33 years of service.4sourced

City Council Place 4 · 1 seat

City Council Place 6 · 1 seat

Council members are elected at-large, so every San Marcos voter picks the mayor and each council place.

4 notes on these statements

Amanda Rodriguez holds the Place 6 seat and is running for mayor; Lisa Prewitt, Bill Miller and Juan Miguel Arredondo are running for her seat. Community Impact, Q&A · Sep 2, 2026

Community Impact asked candidates to keep answers within 50 words, and answers may have been edited or cut for length or style. Community Impact, Q&A · Sep 2, 2026

Most candidates in the mayor and Place 4 races did not attend the Sept. 17 forum hosted by San Marcos Area Democrats. San Marcos Daily Record, Place 3 candidates debate key issues · Oct 1, 2026

Official ballot listing: the Hays County sample ballot lists Amanda Rodriguez and Ryan Thomason for mayor, Alyssa Garza and Jane Garnette Hughson for Place 3, Shane Scott and Heather Hunter for Place 4, and Lisa Prewitt, Bill Miller and Juan Miguel Arredondo for Place 6. Hays County, Combined Sample Ballot, Nov. 3, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Lorenzo GonzalezCouncilmember, Place 5; term ends 20277sourced Matthew MendozaCouncilmember, Place 1; term ends 20284sourced Josh PaselkCouncilmember, Place 2; term ends 20283sourced

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 decidesData centers, Budget and property taxes, Utility rates Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Data centers

Where it standsThe council prohibited data centers in all city zoning districts on June 16, 2026, by a 4-3 vote.

What's on the tableWhether to keep the prohibition in the Land Development Code or change it.

On Feb. 17, 2026, the council voted 5-2 to deny a map amendment for about 200 acres west of Francis Harris Lane that was sought for a proposed data center. Community Impact, San Marcos council denies map change, stops data center development · Feb 18, 2026
A motion to prohibit data centers in all zoning districts failed with three votes for and four against in April 2026. Community Impact, San Marcos council votes to prohibit data centers in all zoning districts · Jun 17, 2026
On June 16, 2026, the council voted 4-3 for an amendment prohibiting data centers in any city zoning district, as part of a 7-0 vote to update the Land Development Code. City of San Marcos, June 16, 2026 City Council Recap · Jun 16, 2026

Budget and property taxes

Where it standsThe council adopted a $406.56 million budget for 2026-27 and kept the tax rate at 65.15 cents per $100.

What's on the tableThe 2027-28 budget and tax rate, including how to close shortfalls.

The $406.56 million operating budget is a 9.5% increase over 2025-26; the city began planning with a forecast $4 million shortfall. Community Impact, San Marcos tackles forecasted $4 million shortfall with new budget · Sep 25, 2026
The $0.6515 rate matches last year's rate and is 2.5% above the no-new-revenue rate of $0.635574 per $100. Community Impact, San Marcos tackles forecasted $4 million shortfall with new budget · Sep 25, 2026
The city saved $2 million with a retirement incentive program that eliminated 20 positions and $2 million with managed hiring. Community Impact, San Marcos tackles forecasted $4 million shortfall with new budget · Sep 25, 2026
The city says median annual city taxes are $1,930 in fiscal year 2027, down from $2,000 in fiscal year 2026. City of San Marcos, September 15, 2026 City Council Recap · Sep 15, 2026

Utility rates

Where it standsOn Sept. 15, 2026, the council approved increases to electric, water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste rates.

What's on the tableFuture utility rate changes and how much help is offered to residents who struggle to pay.

Electric rates passed 6-1; the city says the average residential customer will pay $1.75 more per month. City of San Marcos, September 15, 2026 City Council Recap · Sep 15, 2026
Water and wastewater rates passed 6-1; the average residential customer will pay $2.76 more for water and $1.14 more for wastewater per month. City of San Marcos, September 15, 2026 City Council Recap · Sep 15, 2026
A 5.8% stormwater increase passed 5-2, adding about $0.86 per month for the average residential customer. City of San Marcos, September 15, 2026 City Council Recap · Sep 15, 2026
Solid waste rates passed 6-1, adding about $0.31 per month for the average residential customer. City of San Marcos, September 15, 2026 City Council Recap · Sep 15, 2026

Affordability and housing

Where it standsCandidates in all four contests name affordability as a priority while the city budget is tight.

What's on the tableHuman services funding, tax exemptions and the rules that shape housing costs.

On Sept. 15, 2026, the council voted 7-0 to allocate $750,000 in Human Services Grant funding to non-profit agencies. City of San Marcos, September 15, 2026 City Council Recap · Sep 15, 2026
The city's local homestead exemption is $15,000, and the senior and disabled exemption is $35,000; together they provide $1.6 million in property tax relief for 2026-27. Community Impact, San Marcos tackles forecasted $4 million shortfall with new budget · Sep 25, 2026
The 2026-27 budget includes $230,000 in increased social services in addition to Human Services Advisory Board funding. Community Impact, San Marcos tackles forecasted $4 million shortfall with new budget · Sep 25, 2026

New City Hall

Where it standsThe city is still evaluating locations for a new City Hall and Hopkins Street redevelopment.

What's on the tableWhere, whether and how to fund a new City Hall.

On June 16, 2026, council directed staff to continue exploring potential locations and to bring back an item to possibly expand the Steering Committee. City of San Marcos, June 16, 2026 City Council Recap · Jun 16, 2026
The council voted June 16 to expand the Hopkins City Center/New City Hall Steering Committee. San Marcos Daily Record, City seeks applicants for expanded New City Hall committee · Jun 22, 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. San Marcos prohibited data centers in every zoning district in June 2026, by a 4-3 vote. What should the council do?
2. San Marcos kept its tax rate at 65.15 cents per $100 for 2026-27 after forecasting a $4 million shortfall. What should the council do next?
3. What is the best way for San Marcos to help residents afford housing and basic needs?
4. The city is exploring locations for a new City Hall. What should the council do?

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 voteCity of San Marcos, ElectionsOct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsCity of San Marcos, ElectionsOct 19, 2026
Last day to apply for ballot by mailCity of San Marcos, ElectionsOct 23, 2026
Last day of early votingCity of San Marcos, ElectionsOct 30, 2026
Election DayCity of San Marcos, ElectionsNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Lorenzo Gonzalez, Matthew Mendoza, Josh Paselk4 on this ballot

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

The mayor is elected at-large by the people for a 2-year term, and six council members are elected at-large for staggered 3-year terms. City of San Marcos, City Council page
The mayor takes part in recorded council votes; Mayor Hughson voted against the June 2026 data center amendment. City of San Marcos, June 16, 2026 City Council Recap · Jun 16, 2026

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