San Bernardino Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Ivan Garcia is a lifelong resident of San Bernardino and a Development and Planning Professional. He has served as a Planning Commissioner since October 2022 and is running for Mayor of San Bernardino in 2026. Garcia emphasizes solutions, accountability, and delivering results for the city.

Priorities: Public Safety · Economic Growth · Infrastructure

John Valdivia served as a Councilman for San Bernardino's 3rd Ward from 2011, and as Mayor Pro Tem from 2016 to 2017. He was elected Mayor of San Bernardino in November 2018, serving until December 2022. During his tenure, John Valdivia was censured by the City Council in 2021 for alleged misuse of public funds.

Priorities: Attract employers, investors, and resources to bring high-paying sustainable jobs · Increase police resources and funding to combat crime and enhance public safety · Ensure fiscal accountability and reallocate funds from consultants to municipal programs

Helen Tran is a public servant, non-profit leader, and mother of three, who grew up in San Bernardino as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees. She was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning her bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Cruz, and later became the youngest Director of Human Resources for the City of San Bernardino. She currently serves as the Mayor of San Bernardino.

Priorities: Improve public safety and city services, reduce illegal dumping, and repair streets. · Reduce homelessness by focusing on housing and mental health. · Attract high-paying jobs and rejuvenate San Bernardino's downtown.

Amy Malone is a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Strafford 9, having assumed office in December 2024. A resident of Rochester for 25 years, Malone has a background in community service, including volunteer work and professional experience. She has previously served as a school board member and city councilwoman in Rochester, New Hampshire.

Priorities: Environmental Responsibility · Mental Health and Wellness · Economic Development

Rick Avila is a candidate for Mayor of San Bernardino, California, and is on the ballot for the 2026 primary election. He has previously run for the mayoral office in 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2018. Avila's platform includes focusing on economic development, city budget management, and environmental initiatives.

Priorities: Support new warehouse projects to provide jobs and tax revenue · Create zero-emission delivery zones to reduce air pollution · Attract businesses by lowering sales and utility taxes and expediting planning processes

Ronnika Ngalande is a candidate for Mayor of San Bernardino in the 2026 primary election. She currently serves as a Planning Commissioner for Ward 5, where she advocates for responsible development, rigorous accountability, and strong neighborhood protections. Ngalande emphasizes integrity and transparency in city leadership, working to prevent practices that harm families and neighborhoods.

Priorities: Reducing homelessness through oversight of nonprofits, economic development, affordable housing, and expanded care. · Promoting responsible economic development and strong neighborhood protections. · Ensuring rigorous accountability and transparency in city government.

Fred Shorett is a 3rd-generation San Bernardino resident, small businessman, and Combat Infantry Veteran who served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was first elected to the San Bernardino City Council, representing the 4th Ward, in a special election in March 2009 and has been re-elected multiple times, serving as the longest-tenured council member.

Priorities: Expand public safety services · Reduce the homeless population · Bring more jobs and economic opportunity

Benito Barrios is a Marine Corps veteran and community leader who previously served on the San Bernardino City Council from 2013 to 2018. He is running for election to the San Bernardino City Council to represent Ward 2 in 2026. During his prior term, Barrios focused on public safety, housing, and job creation, and helped lead the city out of bankruptcy.

Priorities: public safety · housing · job creation

Ron Alvarado is a candidate for San Bernardino City Council Ward 1 in the 2026 primary election. He is committed to addressing the homelessness crisis in the city and focuses on ensuring schools operate within safe neighborhoods. Alvarado also advocates for a "community first" logistics policy.

Priorities: Ensuring schools operate within safe neighborhoods and building strong relationships with the school district · Supporting a "community first" logistics policy and banning warehouse projects that offer low-tier wages and high-level pollution · Updating the General Plan to ensure future development serves the people of San Bernardino, not just developers

Virginia Marquez is a lifelong resident of San Bernardino who previously served two terms on the San Bernardino City Council, from 2010 to 2018, where she helped guide the city through municipal bankruptcy. Before her public office, she dedicated over 30 years to public safety as a California State Parole Agent. She is now running again for San Bernardino City Council, First Ward.

Priorities: Addressing homelessness by expanding partnerships for housing and mental health services · Restoring trust in City Hall through transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership · Revitalizing downtown by attracting new businesses, improving public safety, and investing in infrastructure

Joseph Salas is an educator and community leader with over 20 years of experience, having served as a teacher, school administrator, and special education director. He is a candidate for San Bernardino City Council, Ward 4, focusing his campaign on economic development, public safety, and community well-being.

Priorities: Economic Development: Develop downtown and attract new retail and commercial projects to revitalize the local economy. · Public Safety: Foster collaboration between law enforcement and the community while maintaining a tough-on-crime approach to ensure resident safety. · Community Well-Being: Address homelessness, improve infrastructure, and maintain safe and clean parks for all residents.

Sandra Ibarra is a member of the San Bernardino City Council, representing Ward 2 in California. She was first elected to the Second Ward City Council Member seat on November 6, 2018, and re-elected in 2022, with her current term ending in 2026. Prior to her election, Ibarra served as a City Commissioner on the Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee and the Fine Arts Commission.

Priorities: public safety · community engagement · beautification of San Bernardino

Christian Shaughnessy is a community organizer, housing specialist, and educator from San Bernardino. He works to address homelessness, reduce street violence, and support victims of crime, and has served as a City Commissioner. Shaughnessy has run for San Bernardino City Council and the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees.

Priorities: Combating homelessness and increasing affordable housing through initiatives like community land trusts, inclusionary zoning, mental health services, and street outreach. · Improving public safety, reducing street violence, and supporting victims of crime. · Promoting economic development, creating good jobs with living wages, and supporting small businesses.

Jesus Medina immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico over 30 years ago and raised his family in San Bernardino. He has worked in various trades and currently serves as a project manager with the Housing Authority. Medina has community leadership experience, including serving as Building Commissioner and Executive Board Member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and has volunteered with several local organizations.

Priorities: Strengthen local fire, paramedic, and emergency services · Provide additional affordable housing options and support ADU development · Improve parks and open spaces, support the homeless population, and implement community beautification programs

Dina Amani, a San Bernardino Superior Judge appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, brings over two decades of legal experience, including six years as a court commissioner and tenure at various law firms.

Elizabeth Ulsh is a San Bernardino Superior Court Judge, appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on September 18, 2023, and was sworn into office on October 9. She previously served as a Deputy Public Defender for 11 years.

Curt Hagman is the current Supervisor for San Bernardino County's Fourth District, elected in 2014. He previously served as a California State Assembly Member, Chino Hills Mayor and Councilmember, and a Parks & Recreation Commissioner, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from UCLA.

Priorities: Strengthening the Local Economy & Increasing Job Opportunities · Keeping Neighborhoods Safe · Advocating for Needed Infrastructure Investments

Jesse Armendarez is a dedicated public servant, successful entrepreneur, and lifelong resident of San Bernardino County, currently serving on the Board of Supervisors since his election in November 2022, and previously on the Fontana City Council and School Board.

Priorities: Public Safety · Homelessness · Mental Health