The 2026 San Diego City Council election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The primary election was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Four of the nine seats on the San Diego City Council are contested.
Municipal elections in California are officially non-partisan, although most members do identify a party preference. A two-round system will be used for the election, starting with a primary in June followed by a runoff in November between the top-two candidates in each district.
Background Seats in San Diego City Council districts 2, 4, 6, and 8 are up for election in 2026. Incumbents Henry Foster III (District 4) and Kent Lee (District 6) are seeking re-election, while Jennifer Campbell (District 2) and Vivian Moreno (District 8) are ineligible for re-election due to term limits.
Major election issues include budget shortfalls, homelessness, parking fees, rising cost of living, and housing affordability, part of a broader housing crisis statewide.
District 2 District 2 consists of the communities of Clairemont, Midway, Mission Beach, Mission Bay Park, Ocean Beach, Old Town, and Point Loma.
Democratic incumbent Jennifer Campbell was ineligible for re-election due to term limits. Former Coronado mayor Richard Bailey, an independent who left the Republican Party in February 2026, and deputy city attorney Nicole Crosby, a Democrat, defeated five other candidates and advanced from the primary on June 2, 2026.
Candidates Advanced to general Richard Bailey, former mayor of Coronado, California (2016–2024) Nicole Crosby, deputy city attorney
Eliminated in primary Josh Coyne, former aide to councilmember Jennifer Campbell Mandy Havlik, community activist Jacob J. Mitchell, chemist Mike Rickey, merchant marine Paul Suppa, attorney
Disqualified Michael Blow Leisa A. Bockenhauser Sandra Kay Mark B. Potocki Nicole A. Quillin Daniel Smiechowski Eric Tims
Endorsements
Results
District 4 District 4 consists of the communities of Alta Vista, Broadway Heights, Chollas View, Emerald Hills, Encanto, Greater Skyline Hills, Jamacha, Lincoln Park, Lomita Village, North Bay Terrace, Oak Park, O'Farrell, Paradise Hills, Redwood Village, Rolando Park, South Bay Terrace, Valencia Park, and Webster.
Incumbent Henry Foster III and ICU nurse Martha Abraham, both Democrats, defeated one other candidate and advanced from the primary on June 2, 2026.
Candidates Advanced to general Martha Abraham, ICU nurse Henry L. Foster III, San Diego city councilmember from the 4th district (2023–present)
Eliminated in primary Johnny Lee Dang, administrative assistant
Disqualified Mykel Gadson Erik Ibarra Tylisa D. Suseberry
Withdrawn Mathew Gordon, former aide to Councilmember Myrtle Cole
Endorsements
Results
District 6 District 6 consists of the communities of Clairemont Mesa, Kearny Mesa, Mira Mesa, Mission Valley, North Clairemont, and Rancho Peñasquitos.
Democratic incumbent Kent Lee and Republican businessman Mark Powell advanced from the primary on June 2, 2026.
Candidates Advanced to general Kent F. Lee, San Diego city councilmember from the 6th district (2022–present) Mark Powell, businessman
Disqualified Bea Bautista Jane L. Glasson
Endorsements
Results
District 8 District 8 consists of the southern communities of San Diego and those along the Mexico–United States border, including the communities of Barrio Logan, Egger Highlands, Grant Hill, Logan Heights, Memorial, Nestor, Ocean View Hills, Otay Mesa West, Otay Mesa East, San Ysidro, Sherman Heights, Stockton, and Tijuana River Valley.
Democratic incumbent Vivian Moreno was ineligible for re-election due to term limits. Four candidates qualified to run for the June 2, 2026 primary, in addition to two write-in candidates.
Antonio Martinez, a member of the San Ysidro School District Board of Education, and Gerardo Ramirez, chief of staff to councilmember Vivian Moreno, both Democrats, defeated four other candidates and advanced from the primary on June 2, 2026.
Candidates
Advanced to general Antonio Martinez, member of the San Ysidro School District Board of Education (2012–present) Gerardo Ramirez, chief of staff to San Diego city councilmember Vivian Moreno
Eliminated in primary Venus Molina, chief of staff to San Diego city councilmember Jennifer Campbell Miguel M. Ochoa (write-in) Kenia A. Peraza (write-in) Rafael Perez, educator
Disqualified Omar Araiza Francisco A. Mayoral Munoz
Endorsements
Results
Council president Following the election, the city council will select the president of the city council. The current council president is Joe LaCava, serving since 2025.
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites Josh Coyne for City Council Nicole Crosby for City Council Martha Abraham for City Council Henry Foster III for City Council Mathew Gordon for City Council Mandy Havlik for City Council Antonio Martinez for City Council Venus Molina for City Council Rafael Perez for City Council Gerardo Ramirez for City Council