-Editorial
The candidate filing period for the June 2 election has officially closed, finalizing the list of contenders for a range of judicial, county, and special district offices across Imperial County. With the field set, voters will have important decisions to make regarding leadership at multiple levels of local government.
For the Imperial County Superior Court, two candidates have filed for Seat 1: Ben Salorio, listed on the ballot as an attorney, and Veronica A. Henderson, listed as an attorney at law. Their upcoming race promises a competitive contest for the county’s top judicial seat. Meanwhile, three other Superior Court positions will appear on the ballot with incumbents running unopposed. Marco D. Nuñez holds the lone candidacy for Seat 2, William Derek Quan is unchallenged for Seat 3, and Eran Marie Bermudez remains the sole candidate for Seat 4. These unopposed races highlight a trend of continuity within the county judiciary, contrasting with the competitive Seat 1 race.
In county executive offices, the Assessor’s race will feature a contest between incumbent Robert Menvielle and challenger Ricardo Avila, who lists his ballot designation as appraiser. Avila has previously challenged Menvielle for the position, signaling an ongoing debate about property assessment policies in the county.
The race for Auditor-Controller is drawing attention as well, with incumbent Karina B. Alvarez facing off against Anthony Franks, a certified public accountant. Alvarez’s tenure has been marked by periodic disputes with the Imperial County Board of Supervisors over office performance, making this election a closely watched measure of public confidence in fiscal oversight.
Several countywide offices feature unopposed candidates, simplifying the ballot for voters in these positions. Chuck Storey is the only candidate for Clerk-Recorder, Suzanne C. Bermudez stands alone for Treasurer-Tax Collector, and J. Todd Finnell faces no opposition in the race for Superintendent of Schools. These races may reflect both strong voter confidence in incumbents and the challenges of drawing competitive candidates for certain administrative offices.
The Board of Supervisors races are more contested. For District 1, three candidates filed: incumbent Jesus Eduardo Escobar, businessman Joong Kim, and investigator Enrique “Kiki” Alvarado. In District 5, voters will choose among Patricia “Patty” Lizarraga, incumbent John Hawk, and Lorena Minor-Montes, who lists her ballot designation as parking/traffic supervisor. These contests will shape policy and governance priorities in key areas of the county.
In special districts, the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors has several notable races. In Division 1, incumbent Alex Cardenas will face challenger Carlos Duran, a journalist. Division 3 will see incumbent Gina Dockstader running unopposed, while Division 5 features Karin Eugenio, listed as a community educator, and Eric L. Rodriguez, a county social worker. Former IID Director Matt Dessert had intended to run but was unable to participate due to being stranded in Jerusalem.
Election officials confirmed that all candidates submitted the necessary nomination documents, including statements of intent and, when required, conflict-of-interest disclosures. As June 2 approaches, voters across Imperial County will have the opportunity to weigh in on a range of offices that directly impact the community, from judicial benches to local governance and special districts.
The upcoming election not only determines leadership but also reflects broader trends in civic engagement, voter priorities, and the evolving political landscape of Imperial County. Residents are encouraged to review the candidates, their qualifications, and their visions for the county to make informed choices on Election Day.
