Submit questions for Sept. 30 candidates forum

Questions are now being accepted for the El Cerrito City Council candidate forum Sept. 30, 2026 from 6 to 8 pm at the Veterans' Building, 6401 Stockton Ave.

The event is cohosted by the El Cerrito Senior Action Committee, League of Women Voters, and West Contra County Adult Education program at Christ Lutheran Church. Attendees have the option of attending either in-person or via Zoom (http://tiny.cc/ECforum) . The Zoom recording will be available afterward.

Questions can be submitted by Sunday, Sept. 27 at https://forms.gle/LQcZe5CpBPi1e5Vi8 . You may submit more than one question, but each question needs to be on a separate form.

The questions asked at the forum will likely be a hybrid of questions submitted by the public, and how many are asked will be limited by time. Some questions may be limited to simple "Yes/No" replies; others will allow for one- or two-minute answers. Candidates will also have time for a three-minute opening and two-minute closing statement. Questions will not be shared with the candidates in advance.

Organizers say they are not looking for "trick" questions or questions targeted toward a specific candidate, but rather broad questions that can be addressed by both incumbents and challengers alike.

You will not be required to include your name, but the form does require an email address so that you can review or edit your question. 

A meet and greet intended for residents who participate in senior programs at Christ Lutheran Church, St. Johns Senior Center, and the El Cerrito Community Center will be held at Christ Lutheran, 780 Ashbury Ave. (near Stockton Avenue) 10:30 am to 12:30 pm Monday, Oct. 12. That event is cosponsored by Adult Ed and the Senior Action Committee.

For more information about the events, contact William Ktsanes at wktsanes@gmail.com.

Another El Cerrito City Council candidate forum will be held Oct. 8, 2026, also at the Veterans Hall. Doors open at 5:30 pm. The forum starts at 6 pm and is expected to last 1 to 1½ hours.

The forum is hosted by El Cerrito/Richmond Annex Walk & Roll, El Cerrito Trail Trekkers, and El Cerrito FireSafe Council.

Topics will include walkability, safe streets, fire safety, open space, and park–related issues.

Reservations are encouraged to help the group plan for the pizza and childcare that will be provided. Register at https://lu.ma/elmkuk6n .

The event will be live-streamed and recorded. RSVP to get the Zoom link.

Email info@ecrawalkroll.org with questions.

Six candidates - Wally Nowinsky, Forrest Lanning, Mary Ann “MJ” Jawili, Kimberly White and incumbents Gabe Quinto and Carolyn Wysinger - are competing for two four-year seats on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.

See also, El Cerrito Wire Elections page