The 2026 Long Beach City Council elections are underway, with semi-official results revealing strong performances by incumbent candidates. The Los Angeles County registrar’s office released its first post-Election Day update on Wednesday, June 3, providing a snapshot of the current standings. However, with outstanding ballots still to be counted, the final results remain uncertain.
In California’s primary elections, a candidate can secure a victory by winning a majority of the votes. If no one achieves this, the top two candidates will advance to the November general election. This system ensures that every district has a clear path forward, whether through an outright winner or a runoff.
The Current Landscape of Long Beach City Council Races
The Long Beach City Council is composed of several districts, each with its own unique dynamics and candidates. Here’s a look at the latest updates from some of the key races:
District 1: Mary Zendejas Leads the Pack
In District 1, which encompasses much of the downtown area, incumbent Mary Zendejas is leading the race with 50.86% of the votes. Her closest competitors are community organizer Anthony Bryson with 14.85% and Realtor Deb Kahookele with 13.81%. Other candidates, including Tamika Wagner-Osio, Brock Goleman, and Lori Logan, are trailing behind but still in the running.
District 3: Kristina Duggan Dominates
District 3, which includes Belmont Shore, Bixby Village, Naples, and Alamitos Heights, has seen a clear favorite emerge. Incumbent Kristina Duggan is leading with an impressive 66.47% of the votes. Her closest challenger, restaurant owner Rebecca Hinderer, has 25.69%. The other candidates, Ronald Sampson and Brian Cochrane, are lagging behind with 5.45% and 2.39% respectively.
District 5: A Tight Race Between Incumbents and Challengers
The race in District 5 is particularly tight, with incumbent Megan Kerr leading by a narrow margin. Kerr has 51.47% of the votes, while her challenger, Realtor Tara Riggi, has 48.53%. This district, which runs from the Orange County border to the Los Angeles River and includes most of the Long Beach Airport, is witnessing a fierce competition.
The Open Seat in District 7
District 7 is an open seat, as longtime Councilmember Roberto Uranga has been termed out. The race is being led by Vivian Malauulu, a Long Beach City College Trustee, with 75.52% of the votes. Her competitors, Dameon Gordon and Jamies Shuford, have 17.36% and 7.12% respectively. This district, which includes Arlington, the upper and lower Westside, Wrigley Heights, and the Port of Long Beach, is poised for a new representative.
The Northernmost District: District 9
In District 9, the northernmost district in Long Beach, incumbent Joni Ricks-Oddie is leading with 66.49% of the votes. Her challenger, business owner Sequoia Neff, has 33.51%. This district includes the neighborhoods of College Square, Starr King, Hamilton, McKinley, and Powell, and is witnessing a clear preference for the incumbent.
The 2026 Long Beach City Council elections are far from over, with many ballots still to be counted. The current results provide a snapshot of the races, but the final outcomes remain to be seen. As the counting continues, the political landscape of Long Beach is set to evolve, with incumbents and challengers vying for the chance to represent their districts.
