Three candidates pursue Imperial Beach mayor position amid sewage crisis concerns
Mitch McKay, Matthew Leyba-Gonzalez, and Karl Bradley are vying for the Imperial Beach mayor position in the 2026 general election. Bradley, a retired school administrator, is focusing his campaign on addressing the Tijuana River sewage crisis and supporting city firefighters and small businesses. The role of Imperial Beach mayor carries limited executive power within the city's council-manager government structure but serves as the city's official representative to regional agencies.
Imperial Beach's mayoral structure limits the position's direct authority over daily city operations, which fall under a professional city manager. However, the mayor holds symbolic importance as the city's representative to regional bodies and exercises some influence over council meeting agendas. The $21,000 annual salary reflects this secondary role within the governance framework.
The three candidates demonstrate different approaches to the sewage crisis affecting the community. Bradley emphasizes activist leadership inspired by predecessors, while Leyba-Gonzalez, already serving on the council, pursues pressure through regional and state channels. Both Democratic candidates identify the Tijuana River sewage issue as central to their platforms, alongside complementary priorities like firefighter compensation and tenant protections.
The mayoral race may influence how Imperial Beach coordinates with county and regional agencies addressing cross-border environmental issues. Voters' selection could affect the city's advocacy tone and resource allocation toward pressing quality-of-life concerns. The outcome may also shape future council dynamics and policy priorities regarding workforce support and local business conditions, potentially affecting residents' daily experience and municipal responsiveness to community concerns.