Four candidates are running for three Orinda City Council seats on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Incumbents Brandyn Iverson, Latika Malkani and Janet Riley are seeking reelection against newcomer Juana Rudati. The top three vote-getters win four-year terms.

Why it matters: Only one candidate will lose, and The Orinda News reports all three incumbents are finishing their first terms. Councilmembers Darlene Gee and Kara Hoxie are not up until 2028.

The candidates

  • Brandyn Iverson filed for reelection July 28. "None of us are exactly entrenched," she told The Orinda News, acknowledging concern that the race isn't very competitive.
  • Latika Malkani praises the council's civility but says, "I don't want group think." She points to progress on fire preparedness and infrastructure.
  • Janet Riley says the city has made big strides on evacuation planning and must keep educating residents about what to do.
  • Juana Rudati, a 17-year Orinda resident, is a physicist with a Ph.D. who did research at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, led R&D teams at Xradia/Zeiss and taught at Diablo Valley College. She wants decisions "more clearly grounded in evidence," easier access to meeting records, and a voice for parents of children in Orinda public schools.

Where they differ

Ivy Drive traffic: The biggest split is the morning ban on left turns from Moraga Way onto Ivy Drive near Del Rey Elementary, Orinda Intermediate and Miramonte High. Rudati would lift it, saying it pushes more cars onto Coral Drive, which has even younger children. "My bet is, that will work, but we need to test it," she said. The incumbents point to smart signals, flashing crosswalks and more police, and say the fix is getting more kids walking, biking and taking the bus.

Fire evacuation: The city is studying a third lane on Moraga Way for emergency use. Malkani called it "an incredibly big and expensive project" needing outside money. Rudati wants more PG&E undergrounding on key routes and designated safe areas for people who can't leave in time. "We need the backup plan now," she said.

Empty storefronts: Iverson said "both sides (of town) have real vacancy issues," citing Sorso in Theatre Square, CreekHaus coming later this year, live music at Siesta Valley Bowl and a new façade program. Rudati wants more data on what has worked.

Seniors: About 30% of residents are 60 or older. Iverson said no one has asked for more senior services. Rudati said she would look for the gaps.

Also on Orinda ballots

Orinda Union School District has four candidates for three board seats, and Moraga-Orinda Fire District seats are on the ballot, Lamorinda Weekly reported. High school voters also decide Acalanes Measure W, a $168 parcel tax, along with Measure RTM. See every race in our Election 2026 guide.