Topic
2026 Candidates
Updated as new information is verified — check back often.
Four Newport Beach council seats are up for election on November 3, 2026.
Newport Beach councilmembers must live in the district they represent, but every seat is voted on by the entire city. Every registered Newport Beach voter should review all four races below, not only the one for their home district.[2]
The Ledger Asked
Ahead of the November 3, 2026 election, the Newport Beach Civic Ledger sent all certified candidates a written questionnaire covering key issues facing the city. As of September 8, 2026, the questionnaire has been sent to seven of the eight candidates: Joe Stapleton, Erik Weigand, Walter Stahr, Robyn Grant, Lauren Kleiman, Andrew P. Gerken, and Tina Babajanians. Tim Stoaks has not yet been reached; his campaign has no public website or listed contact email on file. If you know how to reach his campaign, please contact us at hellonewportbeachcivicledger.org.
Candidates were asked to respond by September 18, 2026. Responses will be added to this page, attributed and dated, as they are received and verified.
Compare the candidates in each district
Candidates are listed alphabetically, not by incumbency. “Not stated” means we found no public position on that issue. CONFIRMED This is the certified candidate field from the City Clerk. [8] Tap “Read full statement” for full wording and sources.
District 1
2 candidates on file — listed alphabetically by last name.
Joe Stapleton
Ballot designation: Newport Beach Councilmember/Businessman [8]
On the ballot
Where candidates stand
Tina Babajanians
Personally prefers the current citywide system; says low year-round residency on the Peninsula could distort district-based representation there.
STATEDJoe Stapleton
Strongly opposed; says he is accountable to all seven districts regardless of where he's elected from.
STATEDTina Babajanians
Says she is still learning the issue; supports workforce housing for police, fire, and nurses, and 'responsible growth, not overgrowth.'
STATEDJoe Stapleton
Says the city is 'doing exactly what we need to do' on housing; points to entitlement and permitting numbers as evidence the city isn't overbuilding.
STATEDTina Babajanians
Opposes the Civic Center Park site; supports evaluating all candidate sites with resident input, and has said she'd personally like to see a Peninsula substation.
STATEDJoe Stapleton
Calls for more transparency in the site-selection process; says the facility will be among the most expensive buildings in city history.
STATEDTina Babajanians
Not stated
Joe Stapleton
Maintaining high standards for short-term lodging regulations is among his stated campaign priorities.
STATEDTina Babajanians
Wants public/private collaboration to fill vacant storefronts and curate the business mix the city wants.
STATEDJoe Stapleton
Self-describes as pro-business; philosophy is 'get out of the way' on regulation, citing Lido Village and Balboa Village as success stories.
STATEDJoe Stapleton Ballot designation: Newport Beach Councilmember/Businessman [8] IncumbentCONFIRMED, City Clerk | ||
|---|---|---|
| On the ballot | ||
| Responsible Housing Initiative | ||
| Where candidates stand | ||
| Public Meetings, Records, Oversight & Enforcement InitiativeFor the current legal status of this initiative, see 2026 Initiatives. | ||
| District-Only VotingFor the current legal status of this initiative, see 2026 Initiatives. | Personally prefers the current citywide system; says low year-round residency on the Peninsula could distort district-based representation there. STATED | Strongly opposed; says he is accountable to all seven districts regardless of where he's elected from. STATED |
| General Approach to Affordable HousingNote: This reflects candidates’ general approach to affordable housing policy, separate from their position on the Responsible Housing Initiative ballot measure above. | Says she is still learning the issue; supports workforce housing for police, fire, and nurses, and 'responsible growth, not overgrowth.' STATED | Says the city is 'doing exactly what we need to do' on housing; points to entitlement and permitting numbers as evidence the city isn't overbuilding. STATED |
| Police headquarters relocation | Opposes the Civic Center Park site; supports evaluating all candidate sites with resident input, and has said she'd personally like to see a Peninsula substation. STATED | Calls for more transparency in the site-selection process; says the facility will be among the most expensive buildings in city history. STATED |
| Government Transparency, Oversight & Charter ReformFor the current legal status of these proposed charter initiatives, see 2026 Initiatives. | ||
| Short-term rentals | Not stated | Maintaining high standards for short-term lodging regulations is among his stated campaign priorities. STATED |
| Economic Development & Business Support | Wants public/private collaboration to fill vacant storefronts and curate the business mix the city wants. STATED | Self-describes as pro-business; philosophy is 'get out of the way' on regulation, citing Lido Village and Balboa Village as success stories. STATED |
District 3
3 candidates on file — listed alphabetically by last name.
Tim Stoaks
Ballot designation: Retired Construction Executive [8]
Erik Weigand
Ballot designation: Newport Beach City Councilmember, District 3 [8]
On the ballot
Where candidates stand
Walter Stahr
Co-author of the Sunshine Ordinance ballot initiative.
STATEDTim Stoaks
Not stated
Erik Weigand
Not stated
Walter Stahr
Mixed — emotionally prefers the current system, but says California Voter Rights Act litigation trends make district voting likely inevitable; expects to vote no on the measure.
STATEDTim Stoaks
Opposed; says the city lacks separate district budgets, which he says would create unmanageable inequity.
STATEDErik Weigand
Strongly opposed; says district voting leads to 'horse trading' between districts, citing his experience in eight South Orange County cities that have districted.
STATEDWalter Stahr
Says the city has approved few affordable housing permits this cycle and frames RHNA as fundamentally about affordable, workforce housing.
STATEDTim Stoaks
Agrees the city should 'plan, not build'; wants to rename 'affordable housing' to 'workforce housing' and annex additional land near Santa Ana Country Club.
STATEDErik Weigand
Says the city should 'plan for, not build' state-mandated housing numbers; cites Huntington Beach's fines as a cautionary example of non-compliance.
STATEDWalter Stahr
Opposed to the Civic Center Park option.
STATEDTim Stoaks
Opposes a new headquarters facility; favors a Peninsula-focused substation.
STATEDErik Weigand
Supports keeping the department in and around Newport Center.
STATEDWalter Stahr
Not stated
Tim Stoaks
Not stated
Erik Weigand
Voted to replace the public advisory body with a council-only committee; says nothing improper occurred.
Walter Stahr
Thinks the city does well on this front; commits to being responsive to Chamber and business-owner outreach.
STATEDTim Stoaks
Generally positive on the city's tourism and business promotion; notes tension between tourism promotion and airport noise concerns.
STATEDErik Weigand
Notes the CDM and restaurant business improvement districts were dissolved before he joined the council; contrasts with Costa Mesa's business license fee increases, which he says Newport won't pursue.
STATEDTim Stoaks Ballot designation: Retired Construction Executive [8] Certified candidateCONFIRMED, City Clerk | Erik Weigand Ballot designation: Newport Beach City Councilmember, District 3 [8] IncumbentCONFIRMED, City Clerk | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On the ballot | |||
| Responsible Housing Initiative | |||
| Where candidates stand | |||
| Public Meetings, Records, Oversight & Enforcement InitiativeFor the current legal status of this initiative, see 2026 Initiatives. | Co-author of the Sunshine Ordinance ballot initiative. STATED | Not stated | Not stated |
| District-Only VotingFor the current legal status of this initiative, see 2026 Initiatives. | Mixed — emotionally prefers the current system, but says California Voter Rights Act litigation trends make district voting likely inevitable; expects to vote no on the measure. STATED | Opposed; says the city lacks separate district budgets, which he says would create unmanageable inequity. STATED | Strongly opposed; says district voting leads to 'horse trading' between districts, citing his experience in eight South Orange County cities that have districted. STATED |
| General Approach to Affordable HousingNote: This reflects candidates’ general approach to affordable housing policy, separate from their position on the Responsible Housing Initiative ballot measure above. | Says the city has approved few affordable housing permits this cycle and frames RHNA as fundamentally about affordable, workforce housing. STATED | Agrees the city should 'plan, not build'; wants to rename 'affordable housing' to 'workforce housing' and annex additional land near Santa Ana Country Club. STATED | Says the city should 'plan for, not build' state-mandated housing numbers; cites Huntington Beach's fines as a cautionary example of non-compliance. STATED |
| Police headquarters relocation | Opposed to the Civic Center Park option. STATED | Opposes a new headquarters facility; favors a Peninsula-focused substation. STATED | Supports keeping the department in and around Newport Center. STATED |
| Government Transparency, Oversight & Charter ReformFor the current legal status of these proposed charter initiatives, see 2026 Initiatives. | Not stated | Not stated | Voted to replace the public advisory body with a council-only committee; says nothing improper occurred. |
| Short-term rentals | |||
| Economic Development & Business Support | Thinks the city does well on this front; commits to being responsive to Chamber and business-owner outreach. STATED | Generally positive on the city's tourism and business promotion; notes tension between tourism promotion and airport noise concerns. STATED | Notes the CDM and restaurant business improvement districts were dissolved before he joined the council; contrasts with Costa Mesa's business license fee increases, which he says Newport won't pursue. STATED |
District 4
1 candidate on file — listed alphabetically by last name.
Robyn Grant
On the ballot
Where candidates stand
Robyn Grant
No simple for/against — calls for more transparency and information first.
STATEDRobyn Grant
Sole vote for a fully public site-selection process; sole dissent on the council-only committee.
Robyn Grant IncumbentCONFIRMED, City Clerk Unopposed — no other candidate filed for District 4 on the City Clerk’s certified list. [8] | |
|---|---|
| On the ballot | |
| Responsible Housing Initiative | |
| Where candidates stand | |
| Public Meetings, Records, Oversight & Enforcement InitiativeFor the current legal status of this initiative, see 2026 Initiatives. | |
| District-Only VotingFor the current legal status of this initiative, see 2026 Initiatives. | |
| General Approach to Affordable HousingNote: This reflects candidates’ general approach to affordable housing policy, separate from their position on the Responsible Housing Initiative ballot measure above. | |
| Police headquarters relocation | No simple for/against — calls for more transparency and information first. STATED |
| Government Transparency, Oversight & Charter ReformFor the current legal status of these proposed charter initiatives, see 2026 Initiatives. | Sole vote for a fully public site-selection process; sole dissent on the council-only committee. |
| Short-term rentals | |
| Economic Development & Business Support | |
District 6
2 candidates on file — listed alphabetically by last name.
On the ballot
Andrew P. Gerken
Not stated
Lauren Kleiman
Not stated
Where candidates stand
Andrew P. Gerken
Opposed; says the 'right answer' is staying accountable to the whole city, not just one district.
STATEDLauren Kleiman
Not stated
Andrew P. Gerken
Disagrees that housing plans and construction are separable; wants tougher negotiation with developers for affordable-unit concessions.
STATEDLauren Kleiman
Not stated
Andrew P. Gerken
Opposes building a police station and jail in Civic Center Park.
STATEDLauren Kleiman
Not stated on the site question — her filed candidate statement covers public safety broadly.
STATEDAndrew P. Gerken
Supports restoring citizen oversight of city spending as part of a broader push for financial transparency and accountability at City Hall.
STATEDLauren Kleiman
Not stated
Andrew P. Gerken
Not stated — no public position found.
Lauren Kleiman
Not stated
Andrew P. Gerken
Unsure whether current funding is adequate; supports case-by-case evaluation and scrutinizing spending.
STATEDLauren Kleiman
Not stated
| On the ballot | ||
| Responsible Housing Initiative | Not stated | Not stated |
| Where candidates stand | ||
| Public Meetings, Records, Oversight & Enforcement InitiativeFor the current legal status of this initiative, see 2026 Initiatives. | ||
| District-Only VotingFor the current legal status of this initiative, see 2026 Initiatives. | Opposed; says the 'right answer' is staying accountable to the whole city, not just one district. STATED | Not stated |
| General Approach to Affordable HousingNote: This reflects candidates’ general approach to affordable housing policy, separate from their position on the Responsible Housing Initiative ballot measure above. | Disagrees that housing plans and construction are separable; wants tougher negotiation with developers for affordable-unit concessions. STATED | Not stated |
| Police headquarters relocation | Opposes building a police station and jail in Civic Center Park. STATED | Not stated on the site question — her filed candidate statement covers public safety broadly. STATED |
| Government Transparency, Oversight & Charter ReformFor the current legal status of these proposed charter initiatives, see 2026 Initiatives. | Supports restoring citizen oversight of city spending as part of a broader push for financial transparency and accountability at City Hall. STATED | Not stated |
| Short-term rentals | Not stated — no public position found. | Not stated |
| Economic Development & Business Support | Unsure whether current funding is adequate; supports case-by-case evaluation and scrutinizing spending. STATED | Not stated |
Certified field, at a glance
| District | Incumbent | Challenger(s) |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Joe Stapleton | Tina Babajanians |
| District 3 | Erik Weigand | Walter Stahr; Tim Stoaks |
| District 4 | Robyn Grant | None — unopposed |
| District 6 | Lauren Kleiman | Andrew P. Gerken |
Filing closed August 7, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. This table reflects the certified candidate list published by the City Clerk’s Office for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election. [8]
District seats and incumbents per Ballotpedia. [1]
Notes & Sources
Numbered references for the claims above. Numbering restarts on each page. How claims are labeled →
- [1]
Ballotpedia — Newport Beach, California elections
The seats up for election in November 2026 (Districts 1, 3, 4, and 6) and the current incumbents.
- [2]
Newport Beach City Charter
The rule that councilmembers must live in their district but every seat is elected citywide, so every Newport Beach voter votes in all four races.
- [3]
Walter Stahr for City Council — campaign website (stahr4newport.com, root domain)
Walter Stahr's candidacy announcement, stated platform, and publicly stated position on the Civic Center Park police site. Root domain cited only — no deep link constructed.
- [4]
Newport Beach Stewardship Association — Sunshine Ordinance ballot initiative
Walter Stahr's co-authorship of the Sunshine Ordinance ballot initiative with the Newport Beach Stewardship Association.
- [5]
City of Newport Beach — March 10, 2026 City Council Planning Session, Item No. 2 (Public Works Department staff presentation)
On November 4, 2025, the City Council created the Newport Beach Police Headquarters Assessment Committee (Blom, Weber, Barto); Erik Weigand voted in favor of the substitute motion, and Robyn Grant cast the sole dissenting vote.
- [6]
Voice of OC — Newport Beach Police Station coverage (March 2026)
Residents raised concerns about the transparency of the police headquarters site-selection process at the March 10, 2026 City Council study session, and Councilmember Erik Weigand's response that nothing 'nefarious' went on behind closed doors.
- [7]
City of Newport Beach — Police Headquarters FAQ (updated May 19, 2026)
Multiple police headquarters sites remain under active evaluation, including the current Santa Barbara Drive location, the City-owned Dove Street property, the Civic Center campus (which includes discussion of Civic Center Park), and privately owned properties near the Civic Center area.
- [8]
City of Newport Beach, City Clerk's Office — Candidate Profiles, General Municipal Election, November 3, 2026
The certified candidate field after the August 7, 2026 filing deadline, and each candidate's ballot designation: Tina Babajanians (D1, Businesswoman), Joe Stapleton (D1, Newport Beach Councilmember/Businessman), Erik Weigand (D3, Newport Beach City Councilmember, District 3), Walter Stahr (D3, Author), Tim Stoaks (D3, Retired Construction Executive), Robyn Grant (D4, unopposed), Lauren Kleiman (D6, Mayor/Businesswoman), and Andrew P. Gerken (D6, Retired Surgeon).
- [9]
Joe Stapleton for City Council — campaign website (stapletonfornewport.com, root domain), Priorities section
Joe Stapleton lists maintaining high standards for short-term lodging regulations among his stated campaign priorities. Root domain cited only — no deep link constructed.
- [10]
Dr. Andy Gerken for City Council — campaign website (gerkenfornewport.com), “Common Sense Priorities” section
Andrew P. Gerken's stated opposition to building a police station and jail in Civic Center Park, and his support for restoring citizen oversight of city spending as part of a push for financial transparency and accountability at City Hall.
- [11]
Voice of OC — March 9, 2026 (root domain cited only)
Joe Stapleton called for more transparency in the police headquarters site-selection process and said the facility 'is going to become one of the most expensive buildings in the history of our city.' Specific article URL not independently confirmed.
- [12]
Hoodline — Newport Beach City Council coverage, July 2026 (root domain cited only)
The July 2026 votes on the police headquarters consultant contracts: Robyn Grant cast the sole vote against all three contracts (design, environmental, outreach); Joe Stapleton joined her only in opposing the outreach/communications contract. Reported pending independent verification against Legistar records.
- [13]
Stu News Newport — Erik Weigand guest column, February 2026 (root domain cited only)
Weigand wrote that after two high-profile incidents at Fashion Island, it became 'imperative' that the department's headquarters stay in and around Newport Center. Specific column URL not independently confirmed.
- [14]
Voice of OC — March 12, 2026 (root domain cited only)
At the March 10, 2026 study session, Erik Weigand called the sculpture-garden site 'the most viable option,' and Robyn Grant said: 'The question before us is not whether to build a police station, but where,' and that Civic Center Park 'was promised to the voters as our city's premiere public space.' Specific article URL not independently confirmed.
- [15]
Voice of OC — coverage of the January 31, 2026 meeting (root domain cited only)
Erik Weigand's statement that it 'does seem like we could save some of the sculpture garden.' Specific article URL not independently confirmed.
- [16]
City of Newport Beach — Proposed New Police Headquarters project page
The City's official project page describes the project only as a police headquarters facility and does not reference a jail.
- [17]
City of Newport Beach — Candidate's Statement of Qualifications, Joe Stapleton, District 1, filed August 3, 2026 with the City Clerk for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election
Stapleton's filed statement does not address the Police Headquarters site-selection question. Official filing; the content is the candidate's own platform claims, not verified facts. Filing date as provided by the City Clerk's filed copy; a copy of the filed statement is linked below.
- [18]
City of Newport Beach — Candidate's Statement of Qualifications, Tina Babajanians, District 1, filed July 24, 2026 with the City Clerk for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election
Babajanians's filed statement emphasizes public safety broadly, citing Spring Break and July Fourth unrest as her motivation for running, and does not name a position on the Police Headquarters site. Filing date as provided by the City Clerk's filed copy; a copy of the filed statement is linked below.
- [19]
City of Newport Beach — Candidate's Statement of Qualifications, Erik Weigand, District 3, filed August 4, 2026 with the City Clerk for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election
Weigand's filed statement covers public-safety funding broadly and does not address the Civic Center Park / site-selection question. Filing date as provided by the City Clerk's filed copy; a copy of the filed statement is linked below.
- [20]
City of Newport Beach — Candidate's Statement of Qualifications, Tim Stoaks, District 3, filed with the City Clerk for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election
Stoaks's filed statement argues Newport Beach 'does not need a New Police Headquarters' and favors a substation model focused on the Peninsula. The filing date is not legible in the copy we hold and is not asserted; a copy of the filed statement is linked below.
- [21]
City of Newport Beach — Candidate's Statement of Qualifications, Walter Stahr, District 3, filed July 29, 2026 with the City Clerk for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election
Stahr's filed statement supports 'a new police complex' but says it 'must not be built on park land.' Filing date as provided by the City Clerk's filed copy; a copy of the filed statement is linked below.
- [22]
City of Newport Beach — Candidate's Statement of Qualifications, Robyn Grant, District 4, filed July 23, 2026 with the City Clerk for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election
Grant's filed statement does not address the Police Headquarters site question. Filing date as provided by the City Clerk's filed copy; a copy of the filed statement is linked below.
- [23]
City of Newport Beach — Candidate's Statement of Qualifications, Lauren Kleiman, District 6, filed August 1, 2026 with the City Clerk for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election
Kleiman's filed statement covers public-safety initiatives broadly but not the headquarters site question. Filing date as provided by the City Clerk's filed copy; a copy of the filed statement is linked below.
- [24]
City of Newport Beach — Candidate's Statement of Qualifications, Andrew P. Gerken, District 6, filed July 15, 2026 with the City Clerk for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election
Gerken's filed statement opposes 'the costly plan to put the police station/jail in the park' and separately opposes redeveloping the current police station site into a '300 ft. apartment tower.' Filing date as provided by the City Clerk's filed copy; a copy of the filed statement is linked below.
- [25]
“Wake Up Newport – 2026 Newport Beach City Council Candidates Forum at Witte Hall,” Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, September 3, 2026 (YouTube)
Candidates' public statements on the police headquarters site-selection process, made at this forum.