Murrieta Council Selects Mayor, Mayor Pro Tempore For 2026

MURRIETA, CA — The Murrieta City Council selected its next mayor and mayor pro tempore for 2026, at the recent council session. Council Member Jon Levell, representing District 1, will serve as Mayor for 2026. The council also selected Council Member Ron Holliday, representing District 2, asMayor Pro Tem for 2026. Holliday will assume mayoral roles and responsibilities in the event of Mayor Levell’s absence during the year.

Outgoing mayor, Cindy Warren, spoke during the meeting regarding her busy year.

"As our city continues to grow, we keep learning. Thank you for allowing me to serve as mayor of the this year, it continues to be an honor. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," she said.

Levell has been a resident of Murrieta for nearly 20 years, and has been closely involved in the city’s growthand development. According to a news release provided by the city, Levell has previously served as Mayor Pro Tem for 2025 and joined the Murrieta City Council in 2022, demonstrating his dedication and leadership on the Council.

"He values Murrieta’s small-town charm while embracing its progress in development and infrastructure. As Mayor, he looks forward to contributing to the continued prosperity of the city’s residents and businesses.

Levell, who immediately took the mayor's chair during the meeting, shared a statement regarding his new term as mayor for the coming year.

“Thank you for the incredible honor and trust you've placed in me as your new Mayor. I am humbled to serve Murrieta, a city built on the hard work and collective vision of its residents.”

His priorities include supporting public safety initiatives, promoting responsible growth and development, expanding access to healthcare services, and advocating for the community's overall well-being, including physical, mental, and spiritual health.

“We'll focus on strengthening our local economy by supporting small businesses and attracting innovation.”

He has a history of service to the Murrieta community, including four years on the Murrieta Planning
Commission, where he served as Chairman, and time on the Board of Directors for the
Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce. He has also been involved with various community
groups focused on wellness, veteran support, and public service.

Throughout his career, Jon has served on a variety of local groups and committees, including serving as an alternate on the Animal Control JPIA and representing the City on SCAG, participating in the Homeless Ad-hoc Committee, serving on the Murrieta Planning Commission (where he served as Chairman from 2021–2022), and serving on the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Levell is an advocate for community wellness and nonprofit support, including his involvement with MilVet. He and his wife have been married for 15 years, are raising two daughters, and are co- owners of the longest-running CrossFit gym in Southwest Riverside County. He also serves as Director of Business Development for Loma Linda University Medical Center–Murrieta and enjoys motorcycles, fitness, reading, and outdoor adventure.

Mayor Levell’s position as Mayor will officially begin immediately following the selection.