Former deputy Pacheco leads four-way race for Merced County Supervisor District 1 seat

Shawn Jansen
·2 min read

Challenger Jim Pacheco leads the four-way race for the Merced County Supervisor seat in District 1, which would end the incumbent Rodrigo Espinoza’s bid for a third term.

With four candidates vying for the District 1 seat, the winner will have to claim over 50% of the votes in the primary to be declared a winner. If not, the top two vote-getters will move on to the November election.

According to Tuesday results, Pacheco appears to be avoiding the run-off in November with 54.1% (1,244 votes) of the 2,299 votes counted as of 11:18 p.m.

Espinoza is a distant second with 513 votes, or 22.3%. Maria Soto has received 382 votes, or 16.6%, and Sonia Fernanda Alshami has 157 votes, or 6.8%.

“We’re very excited,” Pacheco said. “Honestly, I thought it would be closer.”

Pacheco, 56, is a retired Merced County Sheriff’s deputy who currently works as a bailiff. His campaign was boosted by the endorsements of Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke and Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira.

“I was very humbled to be endorsed by those two in public safety,” Pacheco said. “I think people are ready for change, and I do think their endorsement made a difference. During the race, we made sure public safety was a priority and I think people responded to that.”

District 1 includes the communities of Le Grand, Planada, El Nido, Livingston and Santa Nella.

Espinoza, 55, is the current Merced County Board of Supervisors Chairperson. Espinoza has held public office since 2002, serving on the Livingston City Council and as Livingston Mayor. He was first elected to the Merced County Board of Supervisors in 2016.

Alshami. 37, is a business owner who ran against Espinoza in 2020 and previously ran for Merced City Council. Soto, 53, is an educator and currently sits on the Livingston City Council.

Pacheco listed homelessness and groundwater sustainability as other major issues facing Merced County along with public safety.

Pacheco is pleased with the early results, but is prepared if things change with more votes being counted.

“We’re very excited,” he said. “We’re hoping we end up on top and wrap it up in the Primary, but if it goes to November, we’re ready to carry the campaign until then.”