Your Vote 2026: Perez and Sanchez clash in nonpartisan race
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ) - The race for Riverside County Supervisor is heating up, featuring incumbent Manuel Perez and challenger Steve Sanchez, a La Quinta City Councilman. It's a non-partisan election.
The Riverside County Supervisor position plays a significant role in various aspects of residents' lives, including transportation, air quality, health care, and public safety. Although the race is non-partisan, Perez is a Democrat and Sanchez is a Republican, a factor that may influence some voters.
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Independent Political Analyst Chad Mayes highlighted the influence of the Supervisor role. "Many people look to you for advice and counsel and leadership on a whole range of different issues. So that job as being county supervisor can be very powerful," Mayes said.
Incumbent Riverside County Supervisor Perez acknowledged the demanding nature of the position. When asked about its power, Perez stated, "Although folks may seem, or may say it is the most powerful, which it could be, it's also the toughest."
Perez also commented on the non-partisan aspect of the supervisor's seat, contrasting it with his experience in the state legislature.
"Does that inform some people's decision in this race? Probably does, but you know that's also the beauty of this position is the fact that it's a nonpartisan seat. When I was in state legislature, it was all about partisanship," Perez said.
Challenger Sanchez emphasized collaboration between county and city governments.
Sanchez said, "It's not the county and the cities working separately. It's the county and the cities working together. We're technically one unified entity for the same purpose. We have the same constituents, right," Sanchez said.
He also noted the non-partisan nature of local government, stating, "at the local government, City Council, County Supervisor, there's nothing Republican or Democrat about wanting to pave roads, right? There's nothing Democrat, Republican about wanting a safe bridge to cross over."
A recent controversy involving a letter written by Perez in support of a proposed data center in Coachella has emerged during the campaign. Perez admitted an error in judgment regarding the project.
"Quite frankly I made a mistake, plain and simple and I own it and so at the end of the day I realized that we had not done an EIR(environmental impact report) or they had not done an EIR, I realized that there was still questions around the secret process," Perez stated.
Perez was also pressed on a campaign donation from an owner of the company proposing the data center. When asked if he would return the donation, Perez responded, "Well, you know what, I haven't been asked that. If that's something that's going to make people feel better, I guess, or think that I made this decision because of a donation. They're wrong."
Sanchez expressed confusion over Perez's changing stance on the data center. "I'm kind of confused, because in March he was for it, April I saw an interview where he didn't have comment or didn't know much about it and now in May he's against it," Sanchez said in an interview with News Channel Three.
Questions have also been raised regarding Perez's health as he seeks another four-year term. When asked if he was healthy, Perez responded, "Well, what do you think? I'm much better, I'm doing well and it's been, it's been since then. I'm talking about two, three years ago." Perez declined to disclose his diagnosis, stating, "I don't think I need to. I think it's just, it’s for me to know, and my doctor to know, and that's private. But I'm fine."
Campaign finance records show that Perez has significantly outspent Sanchez since January First.
Perez has spent $210,271.84, while Sanchez has spent $37,124.74. Mayes noted the financial advantage held by incumbents. "This is where incumbent advantage, you know, when you've got somebody that's an incumbent and the community know them, it's much easier to raise money when you're an incumbent than it is when you're a challenger," Mayes said.
Perez has faced re-election twice before. In 2022, he ran unopposed and in 2018, he defeated Palm Desert Councilwoman Jan Harnick by more than 15 points.
Historical data indicates a strong incumbency trend for the supervisor's position, dating back to 1972. Former Supervisors John Benoit, Roy Wilson, Corky Larson and Al McCandless never lost a re-election campaign.
The winner of the Riverside County Supervisor race will be determined on June 2, requiring one candidate to secure at least 50% plus one of the votes.
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