Who’s running for Tulare County supervisor seats in 2026? Here are the candidates
One of the two incumbents facing reelection to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors faces two challengers in the June 2 primary election.
Supervisor Eddie Valero, who represents District 4, was the first Mexican American elected to the board in 2018. He became the first Latino in Tulare County history to win reelection to a second term on the board.
He was reelected in the general election in 2022 in a close race, capturing 52.62% of the vote.
He is the only Latino currently on the board of supervisors. The county has about 483,546 residents, of which 68% are Latino, according to 2024 U.S. Census data.
District 4 in north Tulare County includes the unincorporated communities of Badger, Cutler-Orosi, Elderwood, Goshen, Ivanhoe, London, Monson-Sultana, Seville, Traver and Yettem as well as the cities of Dinuba, Woodlake and portions of Visalia.
Supervisor Dennis Townsend is running unopposed in the District 5 race.
Candidates must receive over 50% of the vote in the primary election. If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, the top two will advance to the general election in November.
Tulare County District 4 race
Eddie Valero, a local family business owner, has served as board of supervisor for the past eight years, including chairman of the board in 2022.
“I have knocked on thousands of doors, answered late-night calls, and remained accessible because leadership begins with listening,” the Ivy League graduate said in his election statement. “I understand what it takes to grow our economy and protect jobs.”
Valero said he has worked with the community to strengthened public safety, improved roads and infrastructure, expand parks and recreational opportunities, and advanced “long-overdue safe water projects for our rural communities.”
Valero said he has earned the support of public safety professionals, local city council members and school board leaders throughout the district.
“Our work is not finished. I will continue to defend our rural values, push back against Sacramento overreach and fight to ensure our communities receive the service and respect they deserve,” Valero said.
Rudy Mendoza is the current mayor for the city of Woodlake and a small business owner and CEO of an agricultural company.
He said he is a proven leader in the San Joaquin Valley who brings decades of experience in public service, business leadership and community advocacy, promising a vision of focusing on growth, safety and prosperity. He said he will focus on issues such as housing, transportation and water security.
“Our county deserves strong, effective leadership that prioritizes public safety, economic development, water resiliency and infrastructure,” Mendoza said on his campaign website. “I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure Tulare County continues to thrive and that every resident has the opportunity to succeed.”
Mendoza currently serves as the chairman of the board of directors for the Tulare County Association of Governments playing a key role in advancing transportation projects across the region.
He was the district director for former congressman Devin Nunes.
“Tulare County is at a crossroads, and we need leadership that can bring people together, find solutions and deliver results,” Mendoza said.
Ian Bakke, who was born and raised in Tulare County, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and local ag business owner. He served six years in the military, including a deployment to Afghanistan.
“I know firsthand what it takes to make payroll, manage a team and solve real world problems,” said Bakke in his election statement. “That’s the kind of experience I’ll bring to county government-service focused, business minded leadership rooted in responsibility not rhetoric.”
Bakke said he is running supervisors for safer streets, better infrastructure, reliable water access, and job growth that supports working families across the district.
“We need practical, responsive leadership that puts our community first,” Bakke said. “I am deeply invested in the future we’re building.”
Bakke said he plans to prioritize issues such as crime, water, roads and opportunity.
