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Rancho Cucamonga

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West Valley

On the ballot: Mayor · Council District 2 · Council District 3

Key findings

  • Open mayor's seat. Mayor Dennis Michael announced in April 2026 that he won't run again. The best-known candidate is Councilmember Lynne Kennedy. [1][2]
  • The issue under the race is Etiwanda Heights. In January 2026 the council approved a plan change letting developer the Previti Group build about 6,300 homes where the 2019 plan allowed 3,000. Residents sued under CEQA in February. A new group, Rancho Neighbors United, is backing a mayor and council slate and calling for Kennedy's recall. [3][4]
  • The Previti Group paid $93M for 1,252 acres of county flood-control land in 2024 (about $74K an acre). At the Planning Commission hearing, 26 of 27 speakers opposed the change. [3]
  • Council District 2: Kristine Scott is the only candidate with a council record. Her day job is at SoCalGas, a regulated utility. DeJonae Shaw leads the Inland Empire Labor Council. District 3 has one candidate, Stacy Henry.

Mayor

Your pick

Open seat, elected at large. Five candidates. [2]

Lynne B. Kennedy (Mayor Pro Tem)

  • Key findings: Appointed to the council in December 2014 and re-elected since, now representing District 4. Former educator. [5]
  • Voted with the full council for the Etiwanda Heights density increase, according to the opposition petition. That vote is the basis of the recall call against her. [1][4]
  • Platform: public safety, "fiscal responsibility without new taxes," "responsible planning." [6]

Oliver King (business owner, attorney)

  • Running on a slate with District 2 candidate David VanGorden, backed by Rancho Neighbors United, a group formed in 2026 around the density fight. [4] I found no independent reporting on his record.

Michael R. Perez (retired)

  • I found no independent reporting on this candidate.

Marjorie Hamada (business owner, attorney)

  • Didn't file a candidate statement. [2]

Jaskirat Sondh (businessman)

  • Didn't file a candidate statement. [2]

Council District 2

Your pick

Job: one of five votes (four district members plus the mayor) on the city budget, land use, police and fire contracts, and parks.

Kristine Scott (incumbent)

  • Key findings: On the council since 2018, re-elected 2022. Regional public affairs manager at SoCalGas; formerly a VP at TMG Communications; Building Industry Association volunteer of the year. [7][8]
  • Voted for the Etiwanda Heights density increase. [1]
  • Read: the only candidate with a voting record. Her utility job and building-industry ties are worth weighing on land-use and utility votes.

DeJonae Marie Shaw (licensed vocational nurse)

  • Key findings: LVN for 10+ years. Elected president of the Inland Empire Labor Council in April 2026. Ran for county supervisor in 2022 and for AD-50 in 2024 (28.1% in the primary). [9]
  • Platform: District 2 should get its "fair share" of roads, drainage, sidewalks and parks; growth matched with infrastructure. Endorsed by Asm. Robert Garcia, the county Democratic Party, and nurses', building trades, Teamsters and IBEW locals (self-reported).

David VanGorden (retired police officer)

  • Filed a candidate statement. [2]
  • On the Rancho Neighbors United slate with mayoral candidate Oliver King. [4] I found no independent reporting on his record.

Connie Velazquez (commercial realtor)

  • Didn't file a candidate statement. [2]

Council District 3

Your pick

Stacy Henry (school board president)

  • Only candidate. [2]

Sources 10

2 official8 other
  1. ^ a b c Change.org, Protect Etiwanda Heights petition update (advocacy) change.org Other
  2. ^ a b c d e f g City of Rancho Cucamonga, 2026 election City of Rancho Cucamonga Official
  3. ^ a b SB County Sentinel, Etiwanda Heights hearing (Dec 2025) SB County Sentinel Other
  4. ^ a b c d ABNewswire advertorial via Local3News (Oct 2026) local3news.com Other
  5. ^ SB County Sentinel, Kennedy appointed (Dec 2014) SB County Sentinel Other
  6. ^ Democracy Test Kitchen, Lynne Kennedy democracytestkitchen.com Other
  7. ^ City of Rancho Cucamonga, Kristine Scott City of Rancho Cucamonga Official
  8. ^ Sempra, Scott Woman of the Year (Mar 11, 2019) sempra.com Other
  9. ^ Inland Valley News, Shaw (Oct 16, 2026) inlandvalleynews.com Other
  10. · SB County Sentinel, Preservation Society lawsuit (Mar 2026) SB County Sentinel Other