Alhambra City Council candidates forum (Photo – Ari Gutierrez Arambula)
The San Gabriel Valley League of Women Voters (LWV) is hosting candidate forums ahead of the November 3 election. On October 1, 2026, it co-hosted a forum for candidates running in Alhambra City Council Districts 1 and 5. The event was held in the Library community room, where audience members submitted questions for LWV representatives to select.
By Ari Gutierrez Arambula
District 1 covers the northeastern part of the city, from the San Gabriel border west to 1st Street in downtown Alhambra, between Mission Road and Huntington Drive. Candidates are Amy J. Wong and Ron Sahu.
District 5 candidates are incumbent Mayor Adele Andrade-Stadler, college civics professor and community advocate Melissa Michelson, and plumber Alejandro Covarrubias. District 5 extends along the western border from Huntington Drive to Palm Avenue, just west of Marengo, and from Alhambra Road south to the 110 Freeway.
Students, Infrastructure and Trades
Andrade-Stadler said Alhambra’s public-school population was 25,000 when she was first elected to the school board 22 years ago and is now 14,000. She cited student tours of City Hall as one way to encourage civic engagement.
Covarrubias discussed possible reasons for the decline in student enrollment, including lower birth rates. He said the city should help families and schools prepare for future enrollment needs.
Covarrubias said he would prioritize updating the city’s infrastructure. He also said promoting skilled trades to young people is important because those jobs can pay well and offer a path to financial independence.
Sahu said he serves on a committee with the school district addressing declining enrollment. He said the city could better support families by providing grocery stores, parks and affordable housing.
Housing Policy
Michelson, a former vice chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, suggested adding housing by reusing existing buildings. She said new development should address housing needs while preserving the character of historic neighborhoods.
Andrade-Stadler said she would consider changing the inclusionary housing ordinance, which she said she introduced during her first term eight years ago. The ordinance currently requires new housing developments to offer 15% of units at affordable prices. Developers may instead pay an in-lieu fee. Andrade-Stadler said she would consider increasing the requirement to 20%.
Business and community spaces
Asked which large retailer they would like to see in Alhambra, Sahu said residents often mention Trader Joe’s. He said he has lived in the city for 25 years and works at Caltech, near the original Trader Joe’s.
Wong cited her nonprofit-sector work on funding for pedestrian and bicycle safety, as well as opposition to data centers in Monterey Park and Alhambra. She said she would like to see a bookstore in Alhambra, describing it as a potential “third space” where people could gather outside of home and work.
Covarrubias suggested an archery center. Michelson proposed a craft brewery with space for community gatherings and meetings. Andrade-Stadler suggested adding recreation spaces similar to Sky Zone, potentially with a rock-climbing wall.
Traffic, taxes, privacy and public safety
Candidates were asked about the city’s role in protecting residents from federal immigration enforcement actions they consider legally questionable. Michelson said she worked with then-Mayor Maloney on two city resolutions concerning policing practices and residents’ rights.
Wong said Flock cameras could be used by ICE for surveillance beyond their intended purpose. Sahu said security cameras can help law enforcement but also raise privacy concerns.
Andrade-Stadler said the council had decided to tax short-term rentals. Measure HT would extend a 12% hotel tax to short-term rentals. Candidates also discussed the effect of short-term rentals on housing affordability. Sahu said Alhambra has relatively few Airbnbs and suggested reducing barriers for homeowners who want to build accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.
Michelson said the Flock cameras were not intended for traffic management under a contract Andrade-Stadler signed several years ago. She proposed considering options such as expanded public transit and bicycle infrastructure to calm traffic. She also referred to transportation funding and studies related to improvements to the 710 corridor.
Closing statements
In the closing round, Andrade-Stadler said she wanted to improve the city’s inclusionary housing policy and review the effectiveness of traffic-calming measures. She also suggested free local bus passes for students and listed endorsements from two councilmembers, the teachers’ association and regional elected officials.
Michelson called for changes in District 5, saying, “District 5 has been neglected too long. We deserve a proactive, independent advocate who keeps residents informed and speaks up for them even when they aren’t in the room.” While Michelson was speaking, Andrade-Stadler stood up and walked off the stage.
Andrade-Stadler’s seat remained empty as the challengers continued their remarks.
Covarrubias described gathering the signatures needed to qualify for the ballot, saying he did so after work in 100-degree weather. He encouraged young people in the audience to work hard toward their goals.
On endorsements, Covarrubias said he “self-endorse[s]” and would not be influenced by unions, organizations or businesses. He said he would approach City Council work as a plumber: “See a problem? They get it done. They go home.”
Sahu said he was asking voters to consider his record of representing residents’ interests. Wong said she would bring new leadership and ideas to issues including affordability, climate change and immigration enforcement.
Andrade-Stadler returned to the stage as the moderator closed the event.
Register and Vote
October 19, 2026, is the last day to register to vote online for the November 3 general election. Ballots will begin mailing and early voting sites will open on October 5. Visit LAVote.gov for more information.
Note: The reporter is an Alhambra resident and is involved in community issues.
Ms. Guitierrez-Arámbula did a great job at giving an impartial breakdown of the Candidates Debate. Her personal option to support any candidate was not reflected on this forum. She has every right to support anyone of her choosing both by endorsement or donation.
The current disclosure is inadequate. It should clearly state that the author both endorsed Ron Sahu and contributed to his campaign. A previous article has a mention of the contribution. Failing to disclose both raises serious questions about Colorado Boulevard’s transparency and journalistic standards.