Vallejo voters in two council districts have real choices on the Nov. 3 ballot. In District 4, which covers downtown, Mare Island and the waterfront, Councilmember Charles Palmares faces two challengers. In District 5, Central Vallejo, three candidates are running for an open seat after Councilmember Peter Bregenzer chose not to seek a second term, the Vallejo Sun reports.

Why it matters: The council sets policy on the city's police reforms, Flock license plate cameras, homelessness at the White Slough encampment and the future of Mare Island. The mayor's seat is not on this year's ballot.

In District 2 (North Vallejo), Councilmember Diosdado "J.R." Matulac is running unopposed. Councilmembers serve four-year terms and are elected by district.

District 4: downtown, Mare Island, waterfront

  • Charles Palmares, the incumbent, won the seat in a close 2022 race. He is a former planning commissioner and Army veteran. He wants a "neighborhood improvement task force," shipbuilding and clean energy manufacturing on Mare Island, and says he would consider raising taxes only after a performance audit. He said he intends to propose a moratorium or ban on data centers and has opposed California Forever's East Solano plan. "I have no trust in ICE," he told the Sun. He is endorsed by the Sierra Club and Solano County Orderly Growth.
  • Brianna Rogers, a senior program officer at the San Francisco Foundation who bought a home in Vallejo in 2023, says city departments are too fragmented and wants regular performance reporting from City Manager Harry Black. She said Flock "doesn't have guardrails right now." She had raised about $19,842 as of June 30 and is endorsed by the Solano County Democratic Party and Councilmembers Alex Matias and Tonia Lediju.
  • Chris Platzer, a 34-year resident on his third council run, wants to turn Mare Island into an AI and autonomous-boat manufacturing hub, make Indian Alley an arts district and remake Parking Lot J as a downtown plaza. He resigned from the Planning Commission in 2020 after being seen drinking beer and throwing a cat during a Zoom meeting, the Sun reported.

Roxann Reyes, who did not finish her nomination papers, said she would run as a write-in candidate, according to JohnGlidden.com.

District 5: Central Vallejo (open seat)

  • Tara Beasley-Stansberry, a planning commissioner, San Francisco health department recruiter and co-owner of Noonie's Place restaurant, wants faster business permits and a fully staffed police department, which has about 80 officers, roughly 30 fewer than budgeted. She opposes further tax hikes but is open to infrastructure bonds. She had raised $18,644.91 as of June 30.
  • Rebekah Truemper, a nonprofit management consultant, backs the General Plan 2040 goals, safe parking and camping zones, and reviving shipbuilding on Mare Island. She opposes data centers in Vallejo. She had raised $12,395 and is endorsed by the county Democratic committee, the Napa-Solano Central Labor Council and the Sierra Club.
  • Tanya Hall, vice chair of the Architecture and Heritage Landmarks Commission and a retired Vallejo school district career specialist, wants a "Nebraska to Mare Island maritime pipeline" of union apprenticeships for Vallejo High students. She had raised $8,271.70.

Beasley-Stansberry and Hall both lost to Bregenzer in 2022.

Also on Solano ballots

Next door, Benicia votes on Measures X, Y and Z, and unincorporated Solano County on Measure E. Background on the Flock debate: Vallejo's police oversight commission and Flock cameras.

Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. See every race in our Election 2026 guide.