Taxes, Schools, Growth, Candidates: A Contra Costa County Guide To The June Primaries

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Two elections are scheduled in Contra Costa County for 2026. The first one is the Primary Election on June 2. The top two vote-getters in each race — regardless of party — advance to the November general election.

Here is a list of candidates and issues that voters will likely see on the June ballot, beginning with some of the defining issues for the county.

MEASURES

Voters will be asked to decide on whether to continue the county’s long‑standing policy to contain growth and protect farmland and open space and to consider a temporary county‑wide sales tax. They may also be asked to vote on whether to renew the district’s parcel tax that funds libraries, athletics, counselors and programs in West Contra Costa schools. The deadline to file county ballot measures is March 6.

• Urban Limit Line Renewal Measure
• Contra Costa County Sales Tax Measure (Proposed)
• West Contra Costa Unified School District Parcel Tax

U.S. CONGRESS

All U.S. House districts are holding elections in 2026. The primary is June 2. The general election is November 3.

District 8 Candidates

• Incumbent John Garamendi
• Nicolas Carjuzaa
• Harinder Lamba
• Aaron Rowden
• Rudy Recile

District 9 Candidates

• Incumbent Josh Harder
• John McBride
• Jim Shoemaker
• Parminder Singh

District 10 Candidates

• Incumbent Mark DeSaulnier
• Jeffrey Frese
• Josh Hamilton
• Mitchell Maisler
• Katherine Piccinini
  

STATE ASSEMBLY

District 11

• Incumbent Lori D. Wilson
• Jenny Callison

District 14

• Incumbent Buffy Wicks

District 15

• Incumbent Anamarie Avila Farias

District 16

• Incumbent Rebecca Bauer-Kahan
• Joseph A. Rubay

CONTRA COSTA BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Districts 1

John Gioia – Current incumbent Supervisor representing District 1 since 1998 (includes Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Pinole, and nearby unincorporated areas).

District 4

Ken Carlson – Current incumbent Supervisor for District 4 (which includes Clayton, Concord, Pleasant Hill, and most of Walnut Creek)

Once the official list of candidates is certified after the filing deadline, the Contra Costa County Clerk‑Recorder-Elections Office will post the complete slate of candidates for District 1 and District 4.

Local Offices: A full list of candidates have not been posted yet for:

• County Assessor
• County Auditor-Controller
• County Clerk-Recorder
• County Treasurer-Tax Collector
• County Superintendent of Schools

The District Attorney and Sheriff elections are scheduled in 2028.