Watsonville to Hold City Council Elections November 3

Voters will decide four city council seats in upcoming contests, including two races for districts 5 and 7.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a municipal building facade with an arch, representing a local election. — Watsonville voters will participate in city council elections on November 3, 2026, determining leadership for four districts across the municipality. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you trust the candidates running in your city council district to address your community's concerns?

Watsonville voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to elect city council representatives for four districts. Two of these races, specifically for District 5 and District 7, feature competitive contests.

Why it matters

The outcome of these local races will shape city leadership and policy focus for the coming term. Voters are weighing priorities that include public safety, affordable housing, infrastructure development, and flood protection.

Four city council districts are holding elections, with two districts featuring contested races and two featuring unopposed candidates. The winner of the District 5 election is slated to take on the role of mayor in 2027.

The players

Casey Clark

Casey Clark is a candidate seeking election to represent District 5 on the Watsonville City Council.

Ángel Zúñiga

Ángel Zúñiga is a candidate competing against Casey Clark for the District 5 seat.

Ed Acosta

Ed Acosta is a candidate running for the District 7 seat on the city council.

Nancy Bilicich

Nancy Bilicich is a candidate challenging Ed Acosta for the District 7 city council position.

Maria Orozco

Maria Orozco is a candidate currently running unopposed for the District 3 city council seat.

The details

Casey Clark and Ángel Zúñiga are competing for the District 5 seat, while Ed Acosta faces Nancy Bilicich in District 7. Meanwhile, Kristal Salcido and Maria Orozco are running unopposed for their respective seats in District 4 and District 3.

November 3, 2026 is the scheduled election date for the Watsonville City Council seats.
The winner of the District 5 race will assume the role of mayor in 2027.

Political Context

Candidates are framing their campaigns around the Watsonville flood protection infrastructure plans as a primary concern for the local electorate. Opposition figures argue that current management strategies require more aggressive oversight to ensure community safety.

The results of this election will directly determine the leadership tasked with managing local flood protection and infrastructure budgets. Residents should note that the District 5 representative will hold significant influence as the incoming mayor.

The takeaway

Voters should review the specific stances of District 5 and District 7 candidates regarding housing and safety to make an informed choice. Participating in the upcoming election is the primary way residents influence local policy implementation for the next term.