The California Department of Food and Agriculture has released the 2026 California Avocado Commission General Election results. As a reminder, effective November 1, 2026, the state’s avocado growing region will be broken down into four districts.
The election was conducted using a ranked voting method, with candidates receiving the highest number of 1st Choice Votes offered the first choice of the available seats (2-year member, 1-year member or 2-year alternate). Of the remaining candidates, the individual receiving the highest number of combined 1st and 2nd Choice Votes was offered their choice of the remaining seats. Of the remaining candidates, the individual receiving the highest number of combined 1st, 2nd and 3rd Choice Votes was offered the last remaining seat.
Elected individuals shall serve either one-or two-year terms ending on October 31, 2027, and October 31, 2028, respectively. The new board will be seated on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, and officers for the new fiscal year will be elected at that time.
The results are as follows:
District 1: One 2-Year Member Seat, One 1-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
- 2-year Member: Ohannes Karaoghlanian
- 1-year Member: Robert Jackson
- 2-year Alternate: Tina Wolferd
District 2: One 2-Year Member Seat, One 1-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
- 2-year Member: Maureen Lamb Cottingham
- 1-year Member: John Berns
- 2-year Alternate: Doug O’Hara (pending acceptance)
District 3: One 2-Year Member Seat, One 1-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
- 2-year Member: Rachael Laenen
- 1-year Member: Stephen Sheldon
- 2-year Alternate: Nathan Lurie
District 4: One 2-Year Member Seat, One 1-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
- 2-year Member: Andy Sheaffer
- 1-year Member: Adam Franscioni
- 2-year Alternate: Scott McIntyre
Handlers: One 2-Year Member Seat and One 2-Year Alternate Seat Available
- 2-year Member: Hillary DeCarl, Dey Rey Avocado
- 2-year Alternate: Will Carleton, Las Palmalitas