Sarmiento retains District 2 seat in 2026 election, while other districts may face runoff elections.

In the District 2 primary election in Orange County, incumbent Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento appears poised for a second term with a commanding lead. As of the latest tally released on June 2, Sarmiento garnered approximately 63% of the total votes, successfully outpacing three challengers. Should Sarmiento maintain this majority, he will secure outright victory; otherwise, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff in November.

Meanwhile, in District 5, incumbent Supervisor Katrina Foley is facing a more uncertain path. After an initial lead on Tuesday evening, Foley has since trailed behind her challenger Diane Dixon, a state assemblymember and former Newport Beach council member. Following Wednesday’s results, Dixon led with 48.5% of the vote compared to Foley’s 45.4%. The current trajectory indicates that both candidates are likely to face off in a runoff unless one manages to surpass the 50% threshold prior to the final count.

The competition for the open District 4 supervisor seat has also intensified, with a four-candidate battle that has seen Orange County Board of Education trustee Tim Shaw currently leading. Shaw has received about 33.6% of the votes, while Buena Park Mayor Connor Traut trails closely behind at approximately 30.7%. This race guarantees a fresh face on the Board of Supervisors as incumbent Supervisor Doug Chaffee is termed out in January.

Shaw expressed cautious optimism, noting the significant lead he has over his competitors, Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung and La Habra Councilmember Rose Espinoza, who captured nearly 19% and around 17% of votes, respectively. He emphasized the importance of securing a spot in the top two to continue his campaign into November.

Traut similarly conveyed gratitude to his supporters and community, emphasizing the campaign’s outreach efforts across northern Orange County. Both candidates remain hopeful as they look forward to potential runoff scenarios.

In broader countywide elections, incumbents are generally enjoying strong support, with County Assessor Claude Parrish, Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen, and Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Friedenrich each leading their rivals by substantial margins exceeding 70%. Auditor-Controller Andrew Hamilton is running unopposed.

The Orange County Registrar of Voters continues to update the vote tally daily, with approximately 271,000 ballots still awaiting counting. Final results will be updated daily at 5 p.m. on the official county election website, ensuring that voters remain informed as the election process unfolds.