District 3 Council Race Features Three Candidates
Councilwoman Flor Nicolas faces two challengers in South San Francisco's nonpartisan District 3 race ahead of Election Day.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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Do you think housing in your area is getting more or less affordable?
Two challengers, Melanie Olson and Sophia Cyris, are running against incumbent Councilwoman Flor Nicolas in South San Francisco's nonpartisan District 3 council race, with Election Day on November 3, 2026. Aysha Pamukcu runs unopposed for District 1, and Eddie Flores runs unopposed for District 5.
Why it matters
The District 3 contest will determine who represents the district on the South San Francisco City Council. Olson said she decided to run because she found it very hard to reach her representative as an affordable housing advocate.
The District 3 City Council race is nonpartisan, with Flor Nicolas, Melanie Olson and Sophia Cyris on the ballot. Election Day is November 3, 2026, and the results are not yet known.
The players
Flor Nicolas
Flor Nicolas is the incumbent councilwoman for District 3 in South San Francisco, first elected to the council in 2018 and later the city's first Filipino mayor in 2023.
Melanie Olson
Melanie Olson is a Woodside city planner and housing advocate who started a resident coalition in South City to promote affordable housing.
The details
Melanie Olson, a Woodside city planner, began housing advocacy work in her hometown and worked with the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County. Sophia Cyris, 19, is a former youth commissioner and San Francisco State University senior studying political science. Flor Nicolas, who joined the council in 2018 and became the city's first Filipino mayor in 2023, did not respond to requests for an interview other than to ask for questions in writing.
Timeline
2018: Flor Nicolas joins the South San Francisco City Council.
2023: Flor Nicolas becomes the city's first Filipino mayor.
Approximately 2022: Melanie Olson begins full-time work as a Woodside city planner.
November 3, 2026: Election Day for the District 3 council race.
Civic Engagement
Olson's campaign extends the affordable housing advocacy she previously conducted with the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County into a direct bid for a South San Francisco council seat.
Residents of District 3 will choose who represents them on the South San Francisco City Council on November 3, 2026. Voters in the district can use the outcome to weigh candidates' positions on local priorities such as affordable housing.
The takeaway
Voters in South San Francisco's District 3 have a choice between an incumbent with council and mayoral experience and challengers focused on housing and youth engagement. Reviewing each candidate's stated priorities before November 3 can help voters decide.
What happens next
Election Day for the District 3 council race is November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more local coverage in Civic Engagement for the South San Francisco election.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Local News Matters.
Live Poll
Do you think housing in your area is getting more or less affordable?
