Cabral Leads Race for San Clemente Mayor
Early returns show Victor Cabral ahead in San Clemente's first voter-chosen mayor race, as the city moves to district elections.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you trust your city council to spend taxpayer money responsibly?
Victor Cabral took an early lead in the race for San Clemente's first voter-chosen mayor, according to early returns reported Tuesday night shortly after polls closed. Steve Camp and Steve Knoblock also took initial leads for two council seats.
Why it matters
San Clemente's council previously chose its mayor from among councilmembers on a yearly rotation. The city's transition to district elections is reshaping how local leaders are selected in San Clemente.
The San Clemente City Council has five members, including the mayor, and the mayor seat is now at-large and chosen directly by voters. Five candidates are competing in two district races, and final outcomes remain unconfirmed as counting continues.
The players
Victor Cabral
Cabral is a current San Clemente councilmember who has previously served as mayor and is among the candidates in the city's first voter-chosen mayoral race.
Steve Camp
Camp is a principal architect and business owner who took an initial lead in one of San Clemente's two council races.
Steve Knoblock
Knoblock is a San Clemente council incumbent who took an initial lead in the District 2 race against fellow incumbent Mark Enmeier.
The details
Early returns were reported Tuesday night shortly after the polls closed. In District 1, the seat is guaranteed to go to a newcomer, while the District 2 race pits incumbents Mark Enmeier and Steve Knoblock against each other.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Election day, with early returns reported shortly after polls closed.
Political Context
San Clemente's previous practice rotated the mayorship among councilmembers each year, and this election marks the first time voters directly choose the mayor. The shift follows the city's broader move to district-based council elections, which changes how local representation is structured.
Residents now vote directly for the mayor rather than having the post rotate among councilmembers, which changes who represents the city at the top of local government. District voters will see candidates limited to their own district, so the outcome in each area directly shapes council representation.
The takeaway
The move to a voter-chosen mayor gives San Clemente residents a direct say in who leads the council, a change from the city's past practice of yearly rotation. Following final certified results will show which candidates ultimately take the new roles.
Further reading
Track more results in our Elections coverage for San Clemente and nearby races.
Live Poll
Do you trust your city council to spend taxpayer money responsibly?
