Menlo Park Candidates Participated in Election Forum

Six hopefuls for the Menlo Park City Council met on October 8 to debate key local issues ahead of the November 3 election.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Remote Work

Menlo Park Candidates Participated in Election Forum

Live Poll

Do you trust your local candidates to prioritize community needs over corporate influence in your city?

Six candidates competing for three Menlo Park City Council seats outlined their platforms during an election forum held on October 8. Voters will head to the polls on November 3 to decide the council representatives and the outcome of Measure P.

Why it matters

The election will determine the future of significant local developments, including the fate of downtown parking and major projects like the Willow Village site. Voters will weigh these proposals alongside the ongoing management of facilities such as the Belle Haven Community Campus.

The Belle Haven Community Campus, which cost $65 million to construct, is currently two years old. During the forum, candidates were limited to one-minute segments to address questions regarding city operations.

The players

Drew Combs

He is a candidate for the District 2 council seat and currently works for Meta as a compliance director.

Wonman Lee

He is one of the candidates running to represent District 1 on the city council.

James Rohr

He is a candidate seeking the District 1 seat for the Menlo Park City Council.

Vamsi Velagapudi

He is a candidate currently running for the District 2 city council position.

Charlotte Reed

She is one of two candidates competing for the District 4 city council seat.

The details

Candidates Wonman Lee and James Rohr are running for District 1, while Drew Combs and Vamsi Velagapudi are competing for District 2. Charlotte Reed and Laura Melahn are seeking the seat for District 4, with discussions including the paused Willow Village mixed-use development project and the ballot-mandated downtown parking changes.

Construction of the Belle Haven Community Campus was completed in 2024.
The city council election forum was held on October 8, 2026.
Election day for city council and Measure P is November 3, 2026.

Market Landscape

The city council race follows a broader industry trend of reevaluating mixed-use development as Meta paused the Willow Village project. This shift positions local candidates to navigate the tension between large-scale corporate construction and public demand for accessible parking.

Residents should prepare to cast ballots on November 3 for both council representatives and the Measure P downtown parking proposal. The outcome will directly influence local development projects and the future of public infrastructure in Menlo Park.

The takeaway

Voters should review the specific impact of Measure P on parking before the November 3 election day. Understanding the platforms of the six candidates is essential for residents concerned about the trajectory of local neighborhood and commercial development.