Five Candidates to Compete in Westminster Mayoral Race
Voters will decide on the next city leader in the upcoming November 3, 2026, election.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in City Hall
Live Poll
In your opinion, should local mayoral candidates prioritize new commercial developments over existing public safety services?
Five candidates are vying to become the next mayor of Westminster in the November 3, 2026, election. The four-year term limit allows for up to three consecutive terms in office.
Why it matters
The new mayor will oversee ongoing city development projects, such as the Bolsa Pacific initiative, designed to generate jobs and tax revenue. Leadership is also needed to manage unfunded mandates and essential public investments.
The upcoming mayoral race features five candidates competing for a four-year term. Voters are also navigating current city initiatives including the 1% local sales tax from Measure Y, which was approved in 2022 and expires in March 2043.
The players
Kimberly Ho
She is a mayoral candidate who previously served on the Westminster City Council from 2016 to 2024.
Carlos Manzo
He is a current District 2 Councilmember who is running for the position of mayor.
Charles Shipp
He is a mayoral candidate who currently serves as a member of the city Traffic Commission.
Chi Charlie Nguyen
He is a mayoral candidate who currently serves as the board president of the Midway City Sanitary District.
Nguyen Hung
He is one of the five individuals currently competing for the mayoral seat.
The details
The candidates for the mayoral office include Kimberly Ho, Nguyen Hung, Carlos Manzo, Charles Shipp, and Chi Charlie Nguyen. The next administration will guide major projects like the Bolsa Pacific development, which proposes 2,250 housing units including affordable and market-rate options, and the redevelopment of the Westminster Mall where demolition began in April 2026.
Timeline
Kimberly Ho served on the City Council from 2016 to 2024.
Voters approved the Measure Y sales tax in 2022.
Demolition of the vacant Westminster Mall began in April 2026.
First in-person vote centers open on October 24, 2026.
Ballots must be postmarked by November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The race centers on the legacy of Measure Y, as candidates offer differing visions for how to manage the city's revenue until the tax expires in 2043. Opposing voices in the local community frequently challenge the scale of recent residential developments, such as the 2,250 units planned for Bolsa Pacific.
Residents can cast their ballots for the next mayor either in person at vote centers or through mail-in and drop box options. The outcome of this election will directly influence the implementation of the Bolsa Pacific housing development and the ongoing management of the 1% Measure Y sales tax.
The takeaway
Voters should review the financial records of the candidates to understand their proposed approaches to managing the city's revenue from the 1% sales tax. Engaging with the candidate platforms provides insight into how future housing developments will change the local landscape.
What happens next
In-person voting options for the mayoral race become available on October 24, 2026. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Find more updates regarding the City Hall election process and candidate platforms on our dedicated portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Orange County Register.
Live Poll
In your opinion, should local mayoral candidates prioritize new commercial developments over existing public safety services?
