Politifest 2026

Speakers & Sessions

Meet the candidates, elected officials, experts and journalists taking part in Politifest 2026. Browse the lineup by session below.

More speakers and sessions are being added.
Friday, Oct. 2 · Special South County Event

South County Mayoral Races

Time TBA Location TBA

South County Politifest event featuring the National City and Chula Vista mayoral races, both moderated by Jim Hinch.

National City

National City Mayoral Race: Bush vs. Rodriguez

Marcus Bush
Candidate

Marcus Bush

National City councilmember

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Jose Rodriguez
Candidate

Jose Rodriguez

National City councilmember

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Jim Hinch
Moderator · Both Races

Jim Hinch

Reporter, Voice of San Diego

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Chula Vista

Chula Vista Mayoral Race: McCann vs. Tamayo

John McCann
Candidate

John McCann

Chula Vista mayor

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Francisco Tamayo
Candidate

Francisco Tamayo

Chula Vista Elementary School District Board member

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Friday, Oct. 2 · Special North County Event

North County Election Races

6–7 p.m. Harding Community Center Auditorium

North County Politifest event featuring the San Diego County Supervisor District 5 and San Marcos mayoral races, both moderated by Tigist Layne.

San Diego County

County Supervisor, District 5: Jones vs. Krahel

Rebecca Jones
Candidate

Rebecca Jones

San Marcos mayor

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Kyle Krahel
Candidate

Kyle Krahel

Candidate

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Tigist Layne
Moderator · Both Races

Tigist Layne

Reporter, Voice of San Diego

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San Marcos

San Marcos Mayoral Race: Jenkins vs. Sanella

Sharon Jenkins
Candidate

Sharon Jenkins

Candidate

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Mike Sanella
Candidate

Mike Sanella

Candidate

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Saturday, Oct. 3

San Diego County Half Cent Sales Tax

Time TBA Room TBA
Mark Kersey
Speaker

Mark Kersey

President and CEO, San Diego County Taxpayers Association

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Lisa Halverstadt
Moderator

Lisa Halverstadt

Senior investigative reporter, Voice of San Diego

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Saturday, Oct. 3

San Diego City Council, District 2: Richard Bailey vs. Nicole Crosby

10–11:15 a.m. KIPJ Theater

The discussion will include homelessness, the city budget and housing costs.

Richard Bailey
Candidate

Richard Bailey

Candidate

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Nicole Crosby
Candidate

Nicole Crosby

Candidate

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Moderator to be announced
Saturday, Oct. 3

San Diego City Council, District 4: Martha Abraham vs. Henry Foster

10–11:15 a.m. Rooms AB
Martha Abraham
Candidate

Martha Abraham

Candidate

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Henry Foster
Candidate

Henry Foster

San Diego councilmember

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Mariana Martínez Barba
Moderator

Mariana Martínez Barba

Reporter, Voice of San Diego

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Saturday, Oct. 3

San Diego City Council, District 6: A Conversation with Kent Lee

10–11:15 a.m. Rooms EF
Kent Lee
Speaker

Kent Lee

San Diego councilmember

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Moderator

Will Huntsberry

Assistant editor, Voice of San Diego

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Saturday, Oct. 3

San Diego City Council, District 8: Antonio Martinez vs. Gerardo Ramirez

10–11:15 a.m. Rooms CD
Antonio Martinez
Candidate

Antonio Martinez

Candidate

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Gerardo Ramirez
Candidate

Gerardo Ramirez

Candidate

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Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña
Moderator

Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña

Managing editor, Voice of San Diego

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Saturday, Oct. 3

State Ballot Measures: Your Questions Answered

Time TBA Room TBA
Additional speakers to be announced
Nadia Lathan
Moderator

Nadia Lathan

Reporter, Voice of San Diego

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Exclusive Politifest Experience Separate Ticket Required
Saturday, Oct. 3 · Exclusive Lunch
Special Ticketed Session

San Diego Voters 101

12:45–1:30 p.m. Room H

Join political data expert Paul Mitchell for an exclusive lunch conversation examining San Diego voters, voting trends, housing status and the key data campaign professionals use to shape their strategies.

$
This session is not included with general admission. A separate ticket or qualifying Politifest ticket is required to attend.
Paul Mitchell
Featured Guest

Paul Mitchell

Vice president, Political Data Inc.

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Scott Lewis
Moderator

Scott Lewis

CEO and editor-in-chief, Voice of San Diego

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Saturday, Oct. 3

California Governor: A Conversation with Steve Hilton

4:30–5:45 p.m. KIPJ Theater
Steve Hilton
Candidate

Steve Hilton

Candidate

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Scott Lewis
Moderator

Scott Lewis

CEO and editor-in-chief, Voice of San Diego

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Saturday, Oct. 3

El Cajon Mayoral Race: Kraft vs. Wells

Time TBA Location TBA
Alexander Kraft
Candidate

Alexander Kraft

Candidate

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Bill Wells
Candidate

Bill Wells

Mayor, El Cajon

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Jakob McWhinney
Moderator

Jakob McWhinney

Reporter, Voice of San Diego

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Saturday, Oct. 3

County Charter Proposal

Time TBA Room TBA
Joel Anderson
Speaker

Joel Anderson

San Diego County supervisor

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Additional speakers to be announced

More Speakers Coming Soon

We’re continuing to confirm candidates, moderators and sessions for Politifest 2026. Check back as the full event lineup is announced.