> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.albanyscanner.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Albany Democratic Club hosts candidate forum Aug. 27 - URL: https://www.albanyscanner.com/2026/08/13/city/albany-democratic-club-candidate-forum-aug-27/ - Published: 2026-08-13T19:52:12.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-18T04:54:03.000Z - Description: City Council and school board candidates face voters at ADC's first election forum, followed by an endorsement meeting. - Author: Allyson Aleksey - Tags: City, 2026 Election, Albany City Council, Board of Education, #articles The Albany Democratic Club is preparing to weigh in on the city's fall election, with an upcoming [candidate forum](https://www.albanydemocraticclub.org/?ref=albanyscanner.com) focused on the contenders for open City Council and school board seats. The club's endorsements can offer candidates an important boost in [a heavily Democratic city](https://ballotpedia.org/Albany,%5FCalifornia?ref=albanyscanner.com), and the forum is one of the first opportunities for Albany candidates to publicly discuss issues affecting residents. Five candidates filed to run for two open seats on the Albany City Council: incumbent [Robin Lopez](https://www.albanyca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-clerk/documents/elections/2026-election/city-council-candidates/lopez-2026-cc-candidate-statement-2026.08.06%5Fredacted.pdf?ref=albanyscanner.com), Albany Community Foundation President [Jon Destin](https://www.albanyca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-clerk/documents/elections/2026-election/city-council-candidates/destin-2026-cc-candidate-statement-2026.08.05%5Fredacted.pdf?ref=albanyscanner.com), housing policy analyst [Aaron Tiedemann](https://www.albanyca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-clerk/documents/elections/2026-election/city-council-candidates/tiedemann-2026-cc-candidate-statement-2026.08.06%5Fredacted.pdf?ref=albanyscanner.com), public works manager [Chris McDaniels](https://www.albanyca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-clerk/documents/elections/2026-election/city-council-candidates/mcdaniels-2026-cc-candidate-statement-2026.08.07%5Fredacted.pdf?ref=albanyscanner.com) and business owner [Katherine Enos](https://www.albanyca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-clerk/documents/elections/2026-election/city-council-candidates/enos-2026-cc-candidate-statement-2026.08.06%5Fredacted.pdf?ref=albanyscanner.com). Five candidates filed for four open seats on the Albany Unified School District Board of Education: incumbents [Melissa Boyd](https://www.albanyca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-clerk/documents/elections/2026-election/boe-candidates/boyd-2026-boe-candidate-statement-2026.08.07%5Fredacted.pdf?ref=albanyscanner.com), [Becky Hopwood](https://www.albanyca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-clerk/documents/elections/2026-election/boe-candidates/hopwood-2026-boe-candidate-statement-2026.08.03%5Fredacted.pdf?ref=albanyscanner.com) and [Josh Mahoney](https://www.albanyca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-clerk/documents/elections/2026-election/boe-candidates/mahoney-2026-boe-candidate-statement-2026.07.23%5Fredacted.pdf?ref=albanyscanner.com); [Margaret Allen](https://www.albanyca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-clerk/documents/elections/2026-election/boe-candidates/allen-2026-boe-candidate-statement-2026.08.04%5Fredacted.pdf?ref=albanyscanner.com), an AUSD parent and finance director; and education researcher [David McKinney](https://www.albanyca.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-clerk/documents/elections/2026-election/boe-candidates/mckinney-2026-boe-candidate-statement-2026.08.06%5Fredacted.pdf?ref=albanyscanner.com). [Candidate statements and additional information](https://www.albanyca.gov/Government/Election-Information/Candidates-for-General-Municipal-Election-2026?ref=albanyscanner.com) are available on the city of Albany website. The Aug. 27 candidate forum is open to the public and will be held over Zoom, with sign-up details to be released closer to the forum date. Each candidate will get two minutes for opening remarks, followed by a question-and-answer session in which each candidate will have one minute to respond. Candidates will then have one minute for closing statements. The meeting will start at 7 p.m., followed by City Council candidates at 7:30 p.m. and school board candidates at 8:30\. After the forum, Albany Democratic Club members will vote on endorsements. Members are eligible to vote if they are Democrats who paid dues as new members at least 45 days before the vote. The order in which candidates appear on the ballot will be determined by a random drawing Thursday at City Hall. Albany voters will also decide on [six ballot measures](https://www.albanyscanner.com/2026/08/12/city/albany-2026-november-election-ballot-measures/) in November, covering zoning authority, infrastructure and public safety funding, business taxes, property transfer taxes, and funding for street trees and lighting. The Albany Democratic Club will host a meeting Sept. 3 focused on the ballot measures, as well as broader issues affecting Albany voters. *We'd love to hear your* [*2026 Election*](https://www.albanyscanner.com/topic/2026-election/) *questions. We also welcome guest essays from community members on issues of concern. Have other questions for Albany Scanner, or want to share tips?* [*Here's how to reach us*](https://www.albanyscanner.com/tips/)*.* **Note: The event schedule was updated after publication to reflect minor changes provided by the organizer.** ## Sign up for Albany Scanner Stories for an informed community Get updates Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.