The filing period for most county, state, and federal offices on the June 2 primary ballot closes at 5 p.m. Friday, setting the field for scores of races across Los Angeles County — including a crowded contest for sheriff, a wide-open race for governor, and three Pasadena City Council seats.
In the most closely watched county race, eight potential challengers have filed to run against Sheriff Robert Luna, including former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who was ousted by Luna in 2022.
Villanueva filed Thursday. “I’m running because families deserve safe neighborhoods, because deputies deserve leadership that has their back, because the truth matters, and right now, too many in power are afraid to speak it,” Villanueva said in a video posted on YouTube. “I can stay quiet, but I refuse to watch this county, our home, fall apart without standing up once more.”
Luna said since becoming sheriff, violent crime in areas patrolled by the department has dropped every year, with homicides down 25 percent since 2023, according to City News Service. Luna also cited increased clearance rates for violent and property crimes and a 25 percent decrease in use of force by deputies since 2023.
Other sheriff’s challengers include retired Division Chief Eric Strong, who finished third in the 2022 primary; Sgt. Karla Carranza, who finished fifth in 2022; retired Assistant Sheriff Brendan Corbett; retired Capt. Mike Bornman; Lt. Oscar Martinez; gang detective Andre White; and Sonia Montejano, who served as a bailiff on the “Judge Joe Brown” and “Judge Judy” television shows after working as a senior deputy in the sheriff’s Court Services Division, City News Service reported.
Two Board of Supervisors seats will also appear on the June ballot. In the First District, Supervisor Hilda Solis is term-limited and cannot seek reelection. Solis is running for the open 38th Congressional District seat in southeast Los Angeles County, created by the passage of Proposition 50 in November. Pico Rivera Councilmember Monica Sanchez has also filed for the congressional seat, City News Service reported.
Assessor Jeff Prang is seeking a fourth term. Property assessment specialist Stephen A. Adamus, appraiser and housing economist Rob Newland, and tax consultant Steven B. Palty have also filed, according to City News Service.
At the state level, the June 2 ballot includes primaries for governor — an open seat with Gavin Newsom term-limited — along with seven other statewide offices, four seats on the Board of Equalization, all 52 of California’s congressional seats, 20 of the 40 state Senate seats, and all 80 Assembly seats, according to City News Service. The top two candidates in all state and federal races will advance to the November general election regardless of party.
The filing period will be extended to Wednesday for offices where no incumbent files, except where term limits prevent the incumbent from seeking reelection, City News Service reported.
The list of qualified candidates will be released March 27, according to Mike Sanchez, public information officer with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office.
For nonpartisan county races — including sheriff, supervisor, and assessor — a candidate who receives a majority in June avoids a November runoff. The same rule applies to Pasadena’s nonpartisan council races.
Locally, all three Pasadena City Council incumbents up for reelection have qualified for the June ballot: District 3 Councilmember Justin Jones, Vice Mayor Jess Rivas of District 5, and District 7 Councilmember Jason Lyon.
Jones was the last of the three to complete his filing, qualifying Wednesday.
As of Thursday morning, no challengers had completed the filing process, though potential challengers have pulled nomination papers in all three districts..
In District 3, Alexandra Annala and Erica Margarita Munoz have pulled papers. Alethea O’Toole has pulled papers in District 7, and Christine Rodriguez has received paperwork in District 5. Pulling papers is only the first step; candidates must still gather at least 25 district voter signatures, pay a $25 filing fee, and have the paperwork approved by City Clerk Mark Jomsky before the 5 p.m. Friday deadline.
The Pasadena races will be the city’s first municipal election since the Eaton Fire, which began January 7, 2025, and destroyed 9,418 structures, according to Cal Fire. The City Clerk’s Office has posted information for displaced voters on the city’s elections webpage.
Election information is available at CityOfPasadena.net/Elections
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