Dublin Candidates Debate Issues Ahead of November Election
Six candidates running for two city council seats participated in a public forum on October 12.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in City Hall
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Candidates for the Dublin City Council districts 2 and 4 presented their platforms during a public forum held on October 12. The event precedes the upcoming city council election scheduled for November 3.
Why it matters
The election will determine leadership for the city council as residents navigate local concerns, including the economic impact of the 2024 closure of the Federal Correction Institution and recent tax policy decisions.
There are 6 total candidates competing for two seats on the council in the November 3 election. This follows a period of local legislative activity, including the council's decision to nix a transient occupancy tax in July.
The players
Kashef Qaadri
An incumbent running for District 4 who was first elected to the council in 2022 and served as vice mayor in 2025.
Daniel Hor
A District 2 candidate whose background includes 10 years of research and 7 years of journalism experience.
Steve Lorey
A candidate for District 2 who has completed 27 years of military service.
Richard Thornbury
A District 2 candidate who has served on a local commission for 6 years.
Shivraj Singh
A candidate for District 4 who has been a Dublin resident for 15 years.
The details
Candidates discussed local priorities while two hopefuls, Tejpreet Singh and Shivraj Singh, were absent from the forum due to injury and illness respectively. The debate offered insight into the platforms of those seeking to influence city policy following the permanent closure of the local federal prison.
Timeline
The federal prison in Dublin closed permanently in 2024.
Kashef Qaadri served as vice mayor during 2025.
The city council voted against a transient occupancy tax in July 2026.
A public candidate forum was hosted on October 12, 2026.
The Dublin City Council election is set for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The debate over the July 2026 Dublin transient occupancy tax rejection illustrates a broader push to manage city revenue independently of federal land use shifts. This marks a departure from reliance on federal facilities, which historically impacted the local economy before the prison's closure.
The upcoming election will determine which candidates shape the city's future tax and development policies following the closure of the federal prison. Residents will be voting on leadership that will directly influence municipal budget decisions and local governance priorities.
The takeaway
Voters should review the platforms of the candidates to understand how each plans to address the economic vacuum left by the federal prison's closure. Engaging with local forums or candidate records helps citizens make informed decisions before casting their ballots.
What happens next
The Dublin City Council election for District 2 and District 4 is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming vote, visit the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pleasanton Weekly.
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