Tom van Overbeek to Seek Reelection in Chico

Chico City Council District 6 incumbent Tom van Overbeek faces Megan Thomas Petty in the upcoming election.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Remote Work

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a municipal dome silhouette, evoking the gravity of local political and housing policy decisions. — Incumbent Tom van Overbeek faces Megan Thomas Petty in the November 3 Chico City Council election, with housing and enforcement policies on the ballot. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Incumbent Councilmember Tom van Overbeek faces opponent Megan Thomas Petty in the Chico City Council District 6 race on November 3. The candidate is campaigning on plans to increase housing development and restrict camping within city limits.

Why it matters

The election will determine the future direction of local housing policy and homelessness enforcement as the city prepares for the expiration of the Warren v. City of Chico settlement.

Councilmember van Overbeek advocates for the construction of 300 single-family homes annually, contrasting with the fewer than 100 homes built in the city last year.

The players

Tom van Overbeek

He is the current incumbent for the Chico City Council District 6 seat and an owner of property rented to local businesses.

Megan Thomas Petty

She is the opposing candidate running against the incumbent for the District 6 seat in the upcoming election.

Chico Police Officers Association

This local organization provides law enforcement representation and has officially endorsed Tom van Overbeek.

City of Chico Firefighters

This municipal labor organization represents local fire personnel and has endorsed the incumbent candidate.

The details

Van Overbeek, who has lived in Chico since 2006 and owns commercial property in Downtown Chico, opposes a citizen's oversight commission for the police department. He also maintains that future homelessness enforcement will become stricter following the expiration of the Warren v. City of Chico case settlement in January 2027.

Tom van Overbeek moved to Chico in 2006.
Van Overbeek was first elected to the council in 2022.
The General Election will take place on November 3, 2026.
The Warren v. City of Chico settlement expires in January 2027.
Camping allowances related to the court case end on January 15, 2027.

Market Landscape

This election occurs as the city prepares for the expiration of the Warren v. City of Chico settlement in early 2027. Future governance will dictate how the city shifts its approach to housing supply and the legal framework surrounding homelessness enforcement.

Residents may see significant changes to local housing development projects and homelessness policies after the November election. The result will also determine which candidate oversees the city's transition toward stricter camping enforcement in early 2027.

The takeaway

Voters will decide between two distinct approaches to managing the city's housing shortage and public space regulations. Residents should review the candidates' specific proposals regarding the transition from the current legal settlement to future enforcement policies.