Whittier Elects New Mayor, Council Members in Decisive Victories

Becerra, Santana, and Macedo win big in municipal elections with high voter turnout

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:51am

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A photorealistic painting of a metal ballot box sitting on a wooden table in a dimly lit room, with warm light streaming in through a window and creating deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and the importance of the democratic process.The decisive election results in Whittier reflect a renewed civic energy and commitment to equitable representation in local government.Whittier Today

The 2026 general municipal election in Whittier, California saw decisive victories for several candidates, including James Becerra as the new mayor, Vicky Santana for a District 2 council seat, and Aida Macedo for the District 4 council seat. The election saw a higher voter turnout compared to previous years, which the local League of Women Voters advocacy group says is a positive sign for democratic participation in the city.

Why it matters

The election results represent a significant shift in Whittier's political landscape, with new faces taking on key leadership roles. The higher voter turnout is also seen as a win for civic engagement, as the League of Women Voters has worked to address historically low participation rates in the city's municipal elections.

The details

In the mayoral race, James Becerra received 67.22% of the vote, defeating five-term incumbent Vinatieri. For the District 2 council seat, challenger Vicky Santana won with 60.79% of the vote, beating incumbent Octavio Martinez. And in the District 4 council race, Aida Macedo, an attorney and business owner, won with 67.64% of the vote, defeating incumbent Fernando Dutra.

  • The general municipal election was held on April 14, 2026.
  • The third ballot count of in-person votes was released on April 18, 2026.
  • A fourth count of vote-by-mail and provisional ballots will be held on April 21, 2026.

The players

James Becerra

The newly elected mayor of Whittier, California, who received 67.22% of the vote.

Vicky Santana

The newly elected District 2 council member, who received 60.79% of the vote.

Aida Macedo

The newly elected District 4 council member, an attorney and business owner who received 67.64% of the vote.

Vinatieri

The five-term incumbent mayor who received 31.27% of the vote.

Martha Zavala

The advocacy director for Whittier's League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan group that has worked to increase voter participation in the city's municipal elections.

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What they’re saying

“Ensuring that every eligible voter can easily and securely cast a ballot is not a partisan goal. It is a fundamental commitment to equity, accountability, and the principle that government derives its power from all of us.”

— Martha Zavala, Advocacy Director, Whittier League of Women Voters

What’s next

The newly elected officials will be sworn in on April 28, 2026.

The takeaway

The 2026 Whittier municipal election saw a significant shift in the city's political landscape, with new leaders taking office and a higher voter turnout that the local League of Women Voters sees as a positive step for democratic participation and representation in the community.