Jessica Qattawi, who has lived in Ward 4 for 18 years, has announced her campaign to challenge incumbent Councilmember Chuck Conder for the Ward 4 seat in the 2026 election.
Qattawi enters a field that includes Conder, who has represented Ward 4 since 2017 and defeated challenger Monrow Mabon in 2021 with 56 percent of the vote, and businessman Rich Vandenberg, who announced his campaign in May 2025.
Qattawi, who ran citywide for mayor in 2024 and received 8,816 votes against incumbent Patricia Lock Dawson, told the Raincross Gazette that her mayoral campaign taught her an important lesson: "When you care deeply about your community, you don't walk away just because the first race is tough."
"Running for mayor taught me that people really do listen when you show up, speak honestly and follow through, and that experience made me even more committed to serving Riverside," Qattawi said. "It also showed me that residents are ready for leaders who aren't career politicians — people who live the issues with them and stay grounded in real neighborhood problems."
Ward 4 includes Alessandro Heights, Mission Grove, Orangecrest, and the Greenbelt.
As president of the Riverside Neighborhood Partnership and board member of the Mission Grove Neighborhood Alliance, Qattawi's work has included traffic challenges, pedestrian safety, public engagement and neighborhood preservation. She has been a vocal advocate against what she calls "incompatible warehouse development" in the area.
Qattawi's company NV Media has worked with hundreds of small businesses, according to her campaign. She also built "What's Up Inland Empire," an Instagram platform with more than 51,000 followers that features local stories, events and small businesses.
"I respect Councilmember Conder and the years he has served Ward 4. This work isn't easy, and anyone who steps up to serve deserves acknowledgment for that," Qattawi said. "But the reality — and I'm saying this because residents regularly tell me this — is that people in Ward 4 don't feel seen or represented the way they want, need and deserve to be represented."
Qattawi pointed to recent warehouse development proposals as an example of communication breakdowns. "Residents were told it was a 'done deal,' but it clearly wasn't — the final vote proved public input mattered," she said. "That disconnect made people feel like their voices didn't matter until they showed up and fought for them. That's not how it should work."
"If I had been in that seat, I would have led with transparency, kept residents informed from the beginning and made sure their concerns were acknowledged and addressed early," she added.
Qattawi's campaign centers on three priorities: Safety, Solutions, and Connection.
On safety, she proposes collaborating with the fire department on prevention education, strengthening brush-management oversight through the 311 app and increasing Riverside Police Department presence on Alessandro Boulevard to enforce the existing no-big-rig ordinance.
For traffic solutions, she's considering completion of Overlook Parkway to reduce detours, though she emphasized this is one option among many.
Qattawi said any infrastructure decisions would require understanding "the history of that roadway, whether there are environmental or ownership restrictions, what emergency access issues exist and whether residents actually want it explored."
"The goal isn't 'finish this road no matter what,'" she said. "The goal is to get clear answers, involve residents, and make sure our infrastructure reflects the needs of Ward 4."
Her other priorities include bringing a regular farmers market to Ward 4, supporting local businesses through coordinated promotions, strengthening community spaces, expanding city-sponsored seasonal events and improving access to information and services.
Qattawi's 2024 mayoral campaign gave her experience campaigning citywide and understanding how council decisions affect all of Riverside. "You can't advocate for your ward effectively if you don't understand the needs of the others, because the policies we pass don't stay in one part of town," she said.
"What I bring from that experience is a broader perspective and stronger relationships," Qattawi added. "I know the concerns of people across Riverside, I understand how departments and processes fit together, and I've experienced firsthand how important it is to stay connected to the community you serve."
Conder faces two challengers in the Ward 4 race. The filing deadline for candidates is in early 2026, leaving open the possibility that additional candidates could still enter the race.
The primary election is scheduled for June 2, 2026. If no candidate receives at least 50 percent of the vote, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election on November 3, 2026.
For more information about Qattawi's campaign, visit jessicaqattawi.com or follow @JessicaQattawiforRiverside on Facebook or @Qattawi4Riv on Instagram.
