The Orange County 2026 Primary Election is scheduled for June 2, with ballots already mailed to registered voters. The election includes contests for several Orange County offices and statewide positions, presenting a range of choices for residents.
For Orange County Assessor, incumbent Claude Parrish, who has served for over 11 years, is being challenged by Janet Keo Conklin. Parrish has faced scrutiny regarding his conduct. A 2023 county-commissioned report, revealed in early 2025, found he had violated county policies related to gender discrimination and harassment. He was also subject to a 2016 wrongful termination lawsuit by former employees who alleged they were fired for reporting illegal acts, including claims that Parrish falsified payroll reports and was sometimes “unfit for office” or “confused” during work hours. In 2024, Parrish received public criticism from local leaders and the Orange County Register for a proposed “possessory interest tax” that critics argued would raise costs for middle-class renters.
Andrew N. Hamilton, the incumbent for Orange County Auditor-Controller, is running unopposed and is effectively reelected. Similarly, Stefan Bean, unanimously appointed Orange County Superintendent of Schools in June 2024, also has no opponent and will be automatically reelected.
The race for Orange County Clerk-Recorder features incumbent Hugh Nguyen and challenger Maria Holly Barraza. Barraza is a records data specialist at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and served as a nutrition assistant and lactation educator for California’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program from 2007 to 2017.
In the Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector race, incumbent Shari Freidenrich, in office since 2010, faces former top deputy Dana Schultz. Freidenrich is responsible for collecting over $10 billion in property taxes annually. In late 2024, the Orange County Board of Supervisors stripped Freidenrich of her authority to manage the county’s $17 billion investment pool. This decision followed an independent investigation that found she violated workplace violence policies, including an incident where she allegedly threw keys at a subordinate. Schultz is running after Freidenrich reportedly attempted to fire her shortly after Schultz filed to run.
The 2nd Supervisorial District includes incumbent Vicente Sarmiento, challenged by former Santa Ana Councilmember Nelida Mendoza, commercial decorator James Wallace, and business owner Kimberly Davis. Mendoza previously completed a term on the Santa Ana City Council and has a background as a teacher and paralegal, serving in the U.S. Army from 1977 to 1985. Wallace, a Republican candidate, works in a union job and has support from the California Republican Assembly. He has criticized the county’s response to homelessness and Sarmiento’s vote for a 25% supervisor raise. Davis is a U.S. Veteran with no reported prior political experience.
For Orange County Superior Court Office No. 13, candidates are Senior Deputy District Attorneys Ann Cho and Robert Mestman. Cho has endorsements including the Orange County Crime Survivors Political Action Committee, while Mestman is backed by the Orange County Democratic Party and multiple police associations, including the Santa Ana Police Officers’ Association. Incumbent Judge Ami S. Sagel is running for Office No. 41 against Charles E. Pell, a former federal criminal prosecutor and U.S. Navy Veteran.
Statewide, the California Governor’s race features numerous candidates. Among those discussed are Xavier Becerra, Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton, Matt Mahan, and Katie Porter. President Donald Trump has endorsed Hilton. Katie Porter has faced scrutiny for alleged actions and comments. Xavier Becerra faces criticism over his management of unaccompanied migrant children at HHS, an alleged illegal campaign fund scheme, and concerns from progressive Democrats regarding his corporate ties.
In the California Attorney General race, incumbent Rob Bonta has faced pushback from conservative groups and law enforcement over his policies. His 2026 reelection campaign account paid $468,000 to a private law firm amid a federal bribery investigation, leading to a formal complaint filed with the California Fair Political Practices Commission.
