San Marcos Voters Get One Shot at the Microphone |
The Chamber wants residents’ questions before its October candidate forum. Once the event begins, the audience goes listen-only. |
Got a question for the people who want to run San Marcos?
Ask it now.
Because once the candidates take the stage, the audience gets no microphone.
The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce will host its 2026 Mayor & City Council Candidate Forum on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Mission Hills High School Theater, 1 Mission Hills Court.
The event is free and open to the public.
The questioning process?
That comes with a velvet rope.
Residents must submit proposed questions beforehand through an online form. The Chamber’s Board of Directors will review the submissions and select the questions asked during the forum.
You supply the question.
The board decides whether it reaches the stage.
Three Races. Six Candidates. One Question Box.
San Marcos voters will decide three city races in the Nov. 3 election: mayor, City Council District 1 and City Council District 2.
The San Diego County Registrar of Voters lists two qualified candidates in each contest.
Sharon Jenkins and Deputy Mayor Mike Sannella are running for mayor.
In District 1, Councilmember Maria Nunez faces Thomas Gabriele.
Justin Matsushita and Lindsey Smith are running for District 2.
All six are officially qualified for the ballot.
That does not mean all six are confirmed for the forum.
The Chamber has not published a list identifying which candidates have agreed to attend. Until it does, “ballot candidate” and “forum participant” remain two different job descriptions.
Election season already asks words to perform enough gymnastics.
This Is Not an Incumbent Parade
Current Mayor Rebecca Jones is not seeking reelection as mayor.
Sannella represents District 2, but he is running for mayor rather than reelection to that council seat.
The City extended candidate filing for the mayoral and District 2 offices because the incumbents had not filed by the original Aug. 7 deadline.
District 1 is different. Nunez is seeking the seat she currently holds, with Gabriele challenging her.
That leaves San Marcos with an open mayoral contest, an open District 2 race and a contested District 1 seat.
Suddenly, the question form looks less like paperwork—and more like an opportunity.
The Fine Print Has Fine Print
The Chamber has not published a deadline for submitting questions.
It also has not named a moderator, released speaking rules or said whether candidates will receive the questions beforehand.
No livestream or recording information has been announced.
The submission form allows questions of up to 500 characters. Residents could ask about housing, development, roads, public safety, city spending, parks or the business climate.
That is enough room for a direct question.
It is not enough for a campaign speech wearing a question mark and a fake mustache.
Submit questions through the Chamber’s official form. Details appear on the Chamber calendar.
Questions You May Have About San Marcos Candidate Forum
When is the San Marcos candidate forum?
Where is it?
Is admission free?
Can attendees ask questions during the forum?
Which candidates will attend? |
6 Comments
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So Sannella is leaving his council seat to run for mayor? Interesting. Guess District 2 could swing either way this time.
No livestream announced? Not everyone can make it at 5:30, especially parents. Hope they record it or something.
I like that it's free and at Mission Hills. I’ll probably bring my daughter so she can see how city stuff works. Hope the sound is good in that theater.
Classic Chamber, keeping the questions filtered. Wish there was just a regular Q&A. But I’ll send in my housing question anyway.
Can’t believe Rebecca Jones isn’t running this time. Curious to see who steps up. Hoping they talk about fixing the traffic near the high school.
Tommy L.I was surprised too. Traffic by Mission Hills has been a nightmare with all the construction lately. I hope someone asks about it at the forum. It affects a lot of families during drop-off and pick-up.