Updated, Monday, Aug. 10, 2026–
Sentinel staff report–
Though nine individuals pulled papers, five appear slated to run for Citrus Heights City Council this election season, including three current Citrus Heights City Council members and several newcomers seeking to add a fresh voice on the five-member council.
Currently, District 2, 4 and 5 seats are expiring in 2026, with District 1 and 3 seats expiring in 2028. Each councilmember serves 4-year terms. Mayors and Vice Mayors are chosen annually by majority councilmember votes.
The current candidates who have filed and qualified to run for City Council in the 2026 midterm election cycle are listed by district below:
District 2:
MariJane Lopez-Taff (current Mayor, incumbent)
Charles Stone
(Julia Eunice pulled papers but did not turn papers in by Aug. 7)
District 4:
Jayna Karpinski-Costa (incumbent)
Susan Powers
Montana McKinsey, (submitted papers, did not qualify)
(Patrick Laverty pulled papers but did not turn papers in by Aug. 7)
District 5:
Porsche Middleton (current vice mayor, incumbent)
(David Anderson pulled papers but did not turn papers in by Aug. 7)
Candidate Montana McKinsey pulled papers to run for Citrus Heights City Council in District 4 but did not qualify, the city confirmed Monday.
In order to qualify for the ballot, each candidate must submit a Nomination Petition signed by at least 20, and no more than 30 registered voters in the district in which the candidate is to be voted on.
“Sacramento County Voter Registration and Elections conducts a verification of the Nomination Petition signatures to determine if they reached the requirement of 20 valid signatures,” the city said in a statement. As of Monday morning, McKinsey was not listed as a candidate for City Council.
To give candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to residents and give voters an opportunity to learn more about each candidate’s life and background, The Sentinel will give each candidate the opportunity to submit written answers to a series of identical interview questions.
Candidate answers will be published word-for-word, as long as responses are kept under 100 words. More specific policy questions will also be addressed in future articles as part of The Sentinel’s 2026 election coverage.
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