sjgov.org (opens in a new tab)San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters -- official "Offices Up for Election" document for the Nov. 3, 2026 General Election: lists the City of Lodi's three offices -- Member of City Council, Districts 1, 2, and 3, each a 4-year term, elected by district, 20 nominations needed -- with no separate Mayor line.
sjgov.org (opens in a new tab)San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters -- official "Candidate List" (report CFMR009), Qualified Candidates Only, printed 8/20/2026: names all three Lodi City Council contests "On Ballot: Yes" with each candidate's filed ballot designation and filing date -- District 1 (Brandon Sywassink, Michael Carouba, Dawson Hayre), District 2 (Lisa Craig-Hensley, Jordan Duncan), District 3 (Deanne Barth, Christopher S. Anderson, Cameron Bregman).
lodi.gov (opens in a new tab)City of Lodi -- official "Filing Status of 2026 General Election Candidates" page: independently confirms the identical eight qualified candidates across the identical three districts as the county's own Candidate List, plus one candidate, Christopher Hall, who did not qualify for District 3 (papers never submitted) -- correctly absent from the county's Qualified list.
lodi.gov (opens in a new tab)City of Lodi -- official "City Council Members and Districts" and "Council Districts" pages: name the five sitting Councilmembers with district numbers (Nakanishi D1, Craig D2, Bregman D3, Mayor Yepez D4, Mayor Pro Tempore Hothi D5), state Districts 1-3 were last elected Nov. 2018 (terms ending Dec. 2026, up this cycle) and Districts 4-5 Nov. 2020 (terms ending Dec. 2028, not up this cycle), and state Council members serve 4-year terms with no term limit.
lodi.gov (opens in a new tab)City of Lodi -- official Council biography page for Alan Nakanishi: an ophthalmologist and co-founder of Delta Eye Medical Group, first elected to Council in 1998, a term as Mayor in 2001, eight years in the California State Assembly (10th District, co-author of 2004's workers'-compensation reform law), back on Council since 2011, four Mayoral terms and 19 years of total service; gives no indication of a term-limit exclusion.
lodinews.com (opens in a new tab)Lodi News-Sentinel -- Steve Mann opinion column, "Nakanishi's upcoming exit marks end of an era" (paywalled; free-preview text only): confirms Nakanishi's pledge not to seek reelection extended District 1's filing period to Aug. 12, and that he is second only to Frank Hale (1906-1929) for tenure on the Council.
lodinews.com (opens in a new tab)Lodi News-Sentinel -- "2026 Election: Lodi City Council -- Carouba seeks seat amid financial crossroads" (paywalled; free-preview text only): Michael Carouba is a Realtor of 20+ years and a 30+-year Lodi resident, chaired the 2018 Measure L sales-tax campaign, serves on the Parks and Recreation Commission and the city's Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee, and centers his campaign on the city's projected use of $30 million in reserves over five years to balance its budget; endorsed by current and former mayors, former Chamber of Commerce leadership, and the Lodi Police Officers Association.

Last updated September 1, 2026.

City of Lodi

Lodi City Council, District 1

This person would hold your district's seat on Lodi's five-member City Council. They vote on city laws, the budget, and land use. An appointed city manager runs daily operations. Lodi's Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore are not elected directly. Those titles are currently held by the District 4 and District 5 councilmembers. Neither of those seats is up this cycle. Only Districts 1, 2, and 3 are on the ballot this cycle. Districts 4 and 5 were last elected in 2020. They return in 2028. The term is four years, and Lodi sets no term limit.

Three first-time candidates are running for Lodi's open District 1 council seat. They are Michael Carouba, a longtime Realtor and civic volunteer. Also running is Dawson Hayre, a safety supervisor. And Brandon Sywassink, a farmer and business owner, is running too. Sitting Councilmember Alan Nakanishi chose not to seek another term. He has served since 1998, with time away in the State Assembly.

Lodi's City Council has five members, one per district, each serving a 4-year term with no term limit. The Council sets city ordinances, the budget, and land-use policy; an appointed city manager runs day-to-day operations. Lodi's Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore are not elected directly -- the county's own Nov. 2026 office list carries no separate Lodi Mayor race, and the city's own roster page shows those titles currently held by its District 4 and District 5 councilmembers, neither up this cycle. Only Districts 1, 2, and 3 are on the ballot this cycle; Districts 4 and 5 were last elected in 2020 and return in 2028.

This is a direct plurality election with no primary and no runoff -- whichever of the three candidates receives the most votes on November 3 wins outright. Nakanishi's exit is a significant one: at 19 years of Council service (plus a term as Mayor and eight years in the State Assembly in between), he is second only to a councilman who served from 1906 to 1929. None of the three candidates has held elected office before.

Michael Carouba

Michael Carouba is a longtime Realtor running for Lodi City Council. He focuses on Lodi's plan to draw down $30 million in reserves over five years. He also wants better public safety, more infrastructure, and lower utility rates to attract business. He is endorsed by current and former mayors and the Lodi Police Officers Association.

Dawson Hayre

Dawson Hayre's ballot title is "Safety Supervisor." No other information about them was found.

Brandon Sywassink

Brandon Sywassink's ballot title is "Farmer and Business Owner." No other information about them was found.

Your pick

A nonpartisan office: candidates do not run as Democrats or Republicans, and no party appears on the ballot.

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