Candidates for San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors — District 2
2026 Primary Election — June 2, 2026
Office: District 2 seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors — the county's chief legislative and executive body, with authority over the county budget (~$8B), land use, public services, and county operations. District 2 covers Fontana, parts of Rancho Cucamonga, and unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. The office is nonpartisan. Incumbent Jesse Armendarez III, first elected in 2022, faces two challengers: Jesus Sandoval and Joe Alvanez. Under the top-two primary system, if no candidate receives a majority, the top two advance to November 3.
Jesse Armendarez III Nonpartisan Incumbent Favorite
Incumbent Supervisor, District 2 (since Jan 2023) • Fontana
Jesse Armendarez III is the incumbent District 2 Supervisor, first elected in 2022. Born and raised in Fontana. Graduate of AB Miller High School. First job pressure-washing trucks at 16; apprenticed as a licensed mechanic and started his own small business. Works as a Realtor — named one of the "Top 250 Hispanic Realtors" by the National Association of Hispanic Realtors. Previously served on the Fontana City Council (2016-2020, including Mayor Pro Tem), Fontana USD Board (2014-2017), and Fontana Planning Commission. Board of Directors, CA Association of Realtors; Past President, Inland Valley Association of Realtors. Director, Chaffee College Foundation. Chair of IE Utilities Agency Policy Committee. Married to Delene, 4 children.[1]
Top Issues / Platform (Based on Record)
- Homelessness: Secured $10M for homeless housing projects (2024); $5M for Water of Life Homeless Resource Center; $5M for Fontana Homeless Prevention Center
- Mental Health: Budget investments of $376.3M for county mental health services
- Public Safety: $41M for sheriff/community safety; resolution protecting families from sexually violent predators
- Infrastructure: $32.8M for sewer, roads; fire hydrant retrofits; road repair
- Economic Development: ~$3M for economic development; $20M for parks & community services
Key Endorsements
- Reform California
- Inland Empire Labor Council, AFL-CIO
- San Bernardino County Republican Party
Strengths ▲
- Incumbent with proven track record of delivering funding for District 2
- Broad experience across city council, school board, and now county supervisor
- Strong labor endorsement (AFL-CIO) alongside Republican support
- Real estate and small business background reflects district's economic base
- Successfully delivered $10M+ for homeless housing and other tangible projects
Weaknesses ▼
- Republican alignment in a district with significant Democratic voter registration
- No college degree — some voters may prefer more formal education
- Vulnerable to being branded as part of the county establishment
- Anti-warehousing sentiment in Fontana could be an issue if tied to development approvals
- Facing two Democratic challengers who could split the anti-incumbent vote
Jesus "Jesse" Sandoval Nonpartisan Challenger
Fontana City Councilmember, District 3 (since 2012) • Fontana
Jesus Sandoval has represented Fontana City Council District 3 since 2012, re-elected in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Resident of Fontana since 1967. Worked 20 years at Fontana USD (non-teaching) and 17 years retired from the City of San Bernardino (maintained baseball stadium). Helped establish PTSA at Sequoia Middle School. Sponsors annual Veterans Day Essay Contest. Youth athletics coach. Serves on the League of CA Cities Community Services Policy Committee (since 2016) and California Contract Cities Association Legislative Committee (appointed 2024). Married 35 years to Mary Sandoval (Fontana USD Board member), 3 children, 5 grandchildren.[2]
Top Issues / Platform
- Public Safety: Neighborhood safety through improved emergency services and law enforcement support
- Economic Growth: Small business support, workforce development, streamlining city programs
- Healthcare Access: Expanding health access, community centers, reliable transportation
- Prevent Homelessness: Anti-homelessness initiatives
- Responsible Growth: Opposes unchecked warehouse expansion; fought warehouses on Fontana City Council
Key Endorsements
- Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties' Community Action Fund
- San Bernardino County Democratic Party
Strengths ▲
- 14 years on Fontana City Council — deep local government experience
- Proven anti-warehouse record — known as the only councilmember who consistently opposed unchecked warehouse expansion
- Endorsed by county Democratic Party and Planned Parenthood
- Long-time community roots (since 1967) and broad civic engagement
- Experience across multiple government committees (League of CA Cities, CCCA)
Weaknesses ▼
- Lost previous bid for Fontana Mayor in 2017 (56.4% to 18.1%)
- Running against an incumbent supervisor with more countywide name recognition
- City council experience is local — county supervisor is a much larger role
- May struggle to differentiate from Alvanez on the progressive side of the race
- Wife serves on Fontana USD board — potential small-scale conflict questions
No photo available
Joe Alvanez Nonpartisan Challenger
IT Professional / Insurance Agency Owner • Fontana
Joe Alvanez is a first-time candidate for elected office. Works as an IT professional and also operates Joseph Alvanez Insurance, a life and health insurance agency based in Fontana. No previous elected office experience. Running on a progressive platform focused on housing affordability, public education funding, ICE policy reform, environmental protections, and anti-warehouse development. Endorsed by the Inland Empire DSA (Democratic Socialists of America). Listed on Good Party, an anti-corruption independent platform. No Ballotpedia page found.[3]
Top Issues / Platform
- Housing Affordability & Homelessness: Redirect county resources to truly affordable housing; demand transparency on development subsidies; protect renters/prevent evictions; secure state/federal homelessness prevention funds
- Public Schools & Education: Increase funding, smaller class sizes, competitive teacher pay; expand early childhood and vocational training
- Public Safety & ICE Policy: Support police/fire; community-based crime prevention; limit cooperation with ICE to bare legal minimum and bar ICE from county property
- Environment & Anti-Warehouse: Renewable energy, green spaces, public transit; block unchecked warehouse expansion and data centers
- Local Economy & Infrastructure: Small business support, job training, road/bridge/broadband upgrades
Key Endorsements
- Inland Empire DSA (Democratic Socialists of America)
- Good Party (anti-corruption independent platform)
Strengths ▲
- Clear progressive platform appealing to Democratic base voters
- Anti-warehouse position aligns with community concerns about unchecked industrial development
- Strong stance on ICE limits may energize immigrant-rights voters
- Technology background could bring fresh perspective on county operations
Weaknesses ▼
- First-time candidate with no elected office experience
- No Ballotpedia page or traditional campaign infrastructure
- Democratic Socialist label may limit appeal in a general election
- No photo or visible campaign materials found
- Limited endorsements compared to institutional candidates
Race Summary & Outlook
This is a three-way race with incumbent Jesse Armendarez III facing two Democratic challengers: Jesus Sandoval (Fontana City Councilmember, 14 years) and Joe Alvanez (first-time candidate, Democratic Socialist). Armendarez has a strong record of delivering funding and projects for the district and has labor support alongside his Republican base. The two Democratic challengers split the anti-incumbent vote, which benefits Armendarez in a low-turnout primary.
- Armendarez's advantage: Incumbent with proven record of $10M+ in homeless housing, $41M for public safety, and strong labor/Republican coalition. Broad government experience across school board, city council, and county supervisor roles. Well-known in Fontana and District 2.
- Sandoval's opening: 14-year city council veteran with deep community roots and institutional Democratic backing. Anti-warehouse record gives him a distinct identity. County Democratic Party and Planned Parenthood endorsements provide organizational support.
- Alvanez's opportunity: Progressive platform and DSA endorsement could energize left-wing voters and young progressives. Anti-ICE and anti-warehouse positions appeal to distinct constituencies within the Democratic base.
- Turnout factor: Low-turnout June primary favors the incumbent. The two Democratic challengers splitting the progressive vote makes it harder for either to force a runoff.
- Key question: Can Armendarez clear 50%+1 in the primary and avoid a November runoff? Or will combined Democratic support push one challenger into a general election where Republican turnout declines?
Likely outcome: Armendarez wins outright in the primary, or finishes first and wins in November. The Democratic vote split strongly benefits the incumbent.
Primary: June 2, 2026 — General: November 3, 2026