Imperial Irrigation District candidates in tight races 'anxiously awaiting' official election results

Jonathan Horwitz, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·3 min read

Voting closed in the primary election one week ago, but votes are still being counted for the Imperial Irrigation District's three divisional races that could pivot the direction of the the five-member board, whose decisions could impact nearly 40 million people who rely on water from the Colorado River system.

As of Tuesday, the margins in the three races had widened, but the Imperial County Registrar of Voters had not made an official call.

Division 1: Incumbent Alex Cardenas holding off challenger Andrew Arevalo

The race in Division 1, which covers much of El Centro, Westmorland and the southwestern edge of the Salton Sea in Imperial County, has incumbent Alex Cardenas on the verge of defending his seat against challenger Andrew Arevalo in a tight race.

As of Monday evening, the last time results were updated, Cardenas led by 101 votes — 1,536 to 1,435. Turnout for the race is reported at 18.95%.

Although Cardenas's lead grew over the weekend, he is waiting for official results to declare victory.

"We’re all waiting on the official results, and understand votes are still being counted," Cardenas told The Desert Sun on Monday.

Unlike the leaders of the Division 3 and Division 5 races, Cardenas is not endorsed by the county Farm Bureau, but he vowed he will work with whomever has a seat on the board.

Cardenas is currently part of a three-member majority on the board along with retiring chair Jim Hanks and incumbent Norma Sierra Galindo, who is losing her race in Division 5.

Division 3: Gina Young Dockstader, Ramon Castro, Don C. Campbell lead

The race in Division 3, which includes Brawley, Niland, Calipatria and the southeastern edge of the Salton Sea, had four candidates vying for an open seat with longtime director Jim Hanks stepping down: Don Campbell, 68, of Brawley; Ramon Castro, 43, a Brawley; Gina Young Dosckstader, 49, of Calipatria; and Maria Nava-Froelich, 59, of Calipatria.

Young Dockstader, endorsed by the county Farm Bureau, has a commanding lead in the race but not 50% of the vote, so she will be heading to a runoff in November with the second-place vote-getter. As of Monday evening, Castro and Campbell were separated by 41 votes. Turnout so far is reported at 16.35% of registered voters.

  • Gina Young Dockstader: 1,018 votes (39.32%)

  • Ramon Castro: 605 votes (23.37%)

  • Don C. Campbell: 564 votes (21.78%)

  • Maria Nava-Froelich: 402 votes (15.53%)

Division 5: Karin Eugenio likely to unseat incumbent Norma Sierra Galindo

The race in Division 5, which includes Imperial, Holtville and parts of Calexico and eastern Imperial County, has challenger Karin Eugenio with a growing albeit narrow lead against incumbent Norma Sierra Galindo. Turnout so far is reported at 16.95% of registered voters.

Eugenio, endorsed by the county Farm Bureau, had received 102 more votes than Sierra Galindo as of Monday evening.

  • Karin Eugenio: 1,440 votes (51.84%)

  • Norma Sierra Galindo: 1,338 votes (48.16%)

Eugenio said Monday she is "anxiously awaiting" for official election results to be announced.

Jonathan Horwitz covers education for The Desert Sun. Reach him at jonathan.horwitz@desertsun.com or @Writes_Jonathan.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Imperial Irrigation District election results: Margins widen, no winners declared