Three key Merced County races head to voters this election. Here’s what to know
Merced County voters will decide three key races covering county supervisors in Districts 3 and 5 and a new county superintendent of schools.
Each contest includes candidates with distinct visions for public safety, economic development and education.
Here are key takeaways:
- Incumbent Daron McDaniel, who has served as District 3 supervisor since 2015, is seeking a fourth term against Luis Lara, a lifelong district resident who recently retired after 28 years with the California Highway Patrol. McDaniel is campaigning on fiscal responsibility and his work to transform the former Castle Air Force Base into an economic hub, including a partnership with the Port of Los Angeles, while Lara wants to develop Castle’s “full aviation potential” and invest in county roads in disrepair.
- In District 5, incumbent Scott Silveira, 48, who has served on the Board of Supervisors since 2018, faces local business owner Miguel Alejandre, 31, who has not previously held public office. Both District 5 candidates name public safety as a top priority, but they differ on job creation: Silveira says government’s role is to “set the table” for businesses, while Alejandre wants to recruit logistics and manufacturing companies to the West Side.
- Four candidates are running to replace retiring Merced County Superintendent of Schools Steve Tietjen, who announced in November that he would retire at the end of his term in December. The superintendent oversees school district budgets and supports all 20 school districts in the county. The superintendent candidates are Ana Boyenga, assistant superintendent of Atwater Elementary School District; Paula Heupel, superintendent of El Nido Elementary School District; Richard Lopez, superintendent of Merced River School District; and Alberto Velarde, a retired principal.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.