42 Local Races Define Ventura County Midterm Slate
Voters in nine cities face choices on council seats, mayoral roles, and six local measures as results begin to tally.
By Tyler Khalil ·
The 2026 general election has brought a heavy workload to voters across Ventura County. Residents must decide on 42 distinct local races and multiple ballot measures in a single night.
City council seats are up for grabs in eight municipalities, including Camarillo, Port Hueneme, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, San Buenaventura, Santa Paula, and Thousand Oaks. Candidates in these districts are competing for the final say on local budgets, zoning, and infrastructure projects.
Simi Valley presents a unique challenge for its electorate. Voters there face a five-way race for mayor, featuring candidates Dee Cavanaugh, Robert Clarizio, Wayne Holland, Kareem Jubran, and Mike Judge. The city also holds a separate election for a short-term seat on its District 1 council, where Jill Abele, Joseph Ayala, Todd Taylor, and Anthony Thompson seek office.
Ballot measures address specific financial and educational needs. Measure D concerns the United Water Conservation District, while Measure B targets the Rio School District. Measure H appears on the ballot for the Allan Hancock Joint Community College District. Measure LV involves the Las Virgenes Unified School District, Measure E is specific to the City of Oxnard, and Measure C pertains to the Santa Paula Unified School District.
In Oxnard, voters must weigh Measure E alongside council races in Districts 1, 2, and 5. John Barrick, Eduardo Huerta, and Bert Perello run in District 1. Lizanne Nañez and Gabriel Teran compete in District 2. Gabriela Basua and Noemi Corpuz face off in District 5.
San Buenaventura, also known as Ventura, has the largest number of open council seats. District 1 features Liz Campos and Crawford Coates. District 4 includes Kyle Clark, Richard Rosin, Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, and Scott Shoemake. District 5 lists Vernon Alstot and Bill McReynolds. District 6 has six candidates: Steven Almcrantz, Danny Carrillo, Kevin Daly, Karba Eckley, James Loughrie, and Noe Vega.
Santa Paula voters will decide on Measure C for their school district. Council races in District 2 include Jenny Crosswhite and Jenny Yarbrough. District 4 sees four candidates: Merisa Garcia, Angel Garza, Nancy Grass, and John Marquez. All results are currently pending as vote counting begins.
