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2026 San Mateo County Elections: Meet the Candidates & Measures
Get to Know the Candidates Running for Local Office
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Notice: This article contains content generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence. |
The November 3, 2026, General Election will include important local races throughout San Mateo County, including City Council elections and a special election for San Mateo County Board of Supervisors District 5. For SAMCAR members, local elections are particularly important. City councils and the County Board of Supervisors make decisions affecting housing, property rights, development, zoning, permitting, property transfer taxes, parcel taxes, sales taxes, fees, tenant protections, and the local business license taxes.
The SAMCAR Local Candidate Recommendations Committee (LCRC) is currently completing interviews with candidates in order to make endorsements. SAMCAR has already made official endorsements in several local races with a complete list of endorsements expected before ballots drop.
SAMCAR is providing this resource as a voter-information tool. Members are encouraged to visit candidates' campaign websites, learn more about their positions, review campaign disclosures, attend campaign events, candidate forums. And VOLUNTEER for SAMCAR endorsed candidates!
Election Resources
San Mateo County Elections – November 3, 2026
San Mateo County Official Election Information »
This is the best starting point for official election information, including the candidate roster, voter information, election calendar, and campaign-related filings. The County has confirmed that the November 3 election includes numerous city offices throughout San Mateo County.
Official County Candidate Roster
2026 San Mateo County Candidate Roster 
Members should use the County roster as the official source for determining which candidates have qualified for the ballot. Click links below to visit SAMCAR endorsed candidate's campaign websites and see upcoming events.
MEASURE E - Redwood City - VOTE NO
SAMCAR has taken an official VOTE NO on MEASURE E in Redwood City. This measure is also officially opposed by the Redwood City Council, Chamber San Mateo County, and the San Mateo County Economic Development Association, to name a few. Measure E would impose costly rent-control and tenant regulations that threaten housing supply, discourage investment, hurts affordable housing operators, creates a new city department, mandates the city administration spend up to $11 million operating costs per year, and places additional burdens on small housing providers.
Vote No on Measure E in Redwood City »
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors
District 5 Special Election
The District 5 race is an especially important local election in 2026. Supervisor David Canepa submitted his resignation effective January 4, 2027, following his election as San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder. The Board of Supervisors subsequently called a special election for November 3, 2026 to fill the District 5 vacancy.
Why this race matters: District 5 includes much of the northern and eastern portions of the County, including Daly City, South San Francisco, Brisbane and portions of San Mateo County. The winner will have a direct role in County decisions affecting housing, land use, property taxes, homelessness, transportation, public safety and the local economy.
The candidates running for this seat are Mark Nagales and Juslyn Cabrera Manalo.
SAMCAR has not yet made an endorsement for this race.
City Council Elections throughout San Mateo County
The following cities and towns have local offices on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Belmont
Mayor + City Council Districts 1 and 3
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Sarah K.M. Delisle (District 3)
Belmont Election Information »
Brisbane
City Council – 2 seats
Brisbane Election Information »
Burlingame
City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Jen Faber (District 3)
Burlingame Election Information »
Colma
Town Council – 2 seats
Colma Election Information »
Daly City
City Council – 3 seats
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Tony Bayudan
Daly City Election Information »
Foster City
City Council Districts 1 and 2
Foster City Election Information »
Half Moon Bay
City Council Districts 1, 4 and 5
Half Moon Bay Election Information »
Hillsborough
Town Council – 2 seats
Hillsborough Election Information »
Millbrae
City Council Districts 2, 3 and 4
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Sissy Riley (District 2)
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Juan Gamez (District 3)
Millbrae Election Information »
Pacifica
City Council Districts 2, 3 and 5
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Dan Urban (District 2)
Pacifica Election Information »
Redwood City
City Council Districts 2, 5 and 6
Members should pay particular attention to this election given the significant housing, rent-control, development and property-rights issues that have been before the Redwood City Council.
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Diane Howard (District 6)
Redwood City Election Information »
San Bruno
Mayor + City Council Districts 1 and 4
San Bruno Election Information »
San Carlos
City Council – 3 seats
San Carlos Election Information »
San Mateo
City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Lisa Diaz Nash (District 1)
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Rob Newsom Jr. (District 3)
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Dana Yates Sahae (District 5)
San Mateo Election Information »
South San Francisco
City Council Districts 1, 3 and 5
SAMCAR ENDORSED: Eddie Flores (District 5)
South San Francisco Election Information »
Don't Just Read the Websites - Meet the Candidates
Campaign websites are a useful starting point, but members can learn much more by attending candidate meet-and-greets, fundraisers, town halls, neighborhood meetings and candidate forums. Volunteer on the campaigns! As campaigns ramp up, members are encouraged to visit each candidate's website and look for upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, endorsements, policy positions and priorities, and contact information.
A Special Focus for SAMCAR Members
Local elected officials make decisions that directly affect REALTORS®, property owners, housing providers, buyers, sellers, and the broader housing market. When reviewing candidates, members should consider where candidates stand on:
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Housing Supply (New housing production, Development approvals, ADUs, Density and zoning, Housing fees, Permit processing)
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Electrification (Mandates, costs)
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Property Rights (Rent control, Rental registries, Tenant relocation requirements, Just-cause eviction requirements, Vacancy taxes, Property-owner regulations)
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Local Taxes and Fees (Business license taxes, Transfer taxes, Parcel taxes, Development fees, Housing-related fees)
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Economic Development (Small-business policies, Downtown development, Commercial real estate, Job creation, Local economic competitiveness)
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Government Efficiency (Permitting timelines, Regulations, City budgets, Government spending, Accountability and transparency)
Keep Checking Back
The November election campaign will continue to develop rapidly over the next several weeks. Candidate websites, campaign events, and endorsements may change frequently. SAMCAR will update as more candidates are endorsed.
San Mateo County Elections – November 3, 2026 »
Mail in ballots begin: October 5, 2026
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
