-Editorial
The Imperial County Registrar of Voters has released a preliminary list of candidates who have filed for the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election, providing an early look at several local races. Election officials emphasized that the list is not final, and additional candidates may file before the close of the nomination period.
The candidate status report, updated July 22, includes contests for the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, school district governing boards, community college trustees, city councils and special districts. Several races currently have no declared candidates.
Two runoff elections for the Imperial County Board of Supervisors are scheduled for November.
In District 1, incumbent Jesus Eduardo Escobar will face Enrique “Kiki” Alvarado. In District 5, incumbent John Hawk is set to run against Patricia “Patty” Lizarraga.
Among county education races, incumbent Cesar R. Rodriguez has filed for re-election to the Imperial County Office of Education Area I seat, while retired school administrator Arnold A. Preciado has filed for the Area II seat.
For the Imperial Community College District Board of Trustees, incumbent Karla A. Sigmond has filed in Trustee Area 2, while incumbent Erik Ortega has filed in Trustee Area 7. No candidates had been listed for Trustee Areas 1 or 5 as of the report.
School board filings include Zohe Garcia for the Calexico Unified School District; incumbent Raul Navarro for Calipatria Unified; incumbents Ben Abatti Jr. and Kevin Grizzle for Holtville Unified; and incumbent Jill Tucker, educator Madeline George Ross and electrical senior project manager Arthur Sonny Sanchez II for Imperial Unified.
Incumbent Sofia Dominguez has filed for re-election to the San Pasqual Valley Unified School District board. Incumbent Estella Sanchez-Galvan has filed for the Brawley Union High School District, while incumbent Edgar Aguilar has filed for the Central Union High School District.
In the El Centro Elementary School District race, incumbent Eddie N. Hernandez and retired teacher LeRoy Rojas Jr. have filed.
Among special district races, incumbent Sarah J. Curry has filed for the Heber Public Utility District board, and incumbent Robert David Christensen has filed for the McCabe Union Elementary School District board.
The county has also identified several local ballot measures that are expected to appear before voters, including proposed sales tax measures in Calexico, El Centro and Imperial County; a parcel tax measure for the Imperial Valley Healthcare District; bond measures for Meadows Union and Westmorland Union elementary school districts; and a term limits measure for the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of Education.
The candidate list will continue to be updated as nomination papers are filed and reviewed. The final certified list of candidates will be released after the close of the filing period and completion of the county’s verification process.
