Jimmy Paulding takes early lead in race for District 4 SLO County supervisor
Jimmy Paulding took an early lead in the race for District 4 San Luis Obispo County supervisor after the first release of vote totals on Tuesday night.
As of 8:30 p.m., with only the initial count of early mail-in ballots tallied, Paulding led the race with 53.2% of the vote over Adam Verdin, who trailed with 46.8% of the vote.
The two were separated by 505 votes.
The race is between Democrat Paulding, the one-term incumbent who is trying to keep his spot on the board, and Republican Verdin, a political newcomer and longtime local business owner, who is aiming to replace him as the District 4 supervisor.
The candidate who gets more than 50% of the vote wins the seat.
While attending a primary night party at his restaurant, Old Juan’s Cantina in Oceano, Verdin said he was still optimistic about the race’s outcome.
“The night is young,” he told The Tribune. “These are the first results, and we anticipate that this is going to be a close race.”
Paulding — who was at his own watch party at the Heritage House in Arroyo Grande — said he was “really excited” after the first results were released Tuesday night.
“I’m very optimistic,” he said. “I hope that things continue to trend in this direction.”
Following the first vote results, updated vote totals will continue to drop about every two hours until all poll ballots have been counted, according to Erin Clausen, the public information officer for the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.
The deadline for county elections officials to certify election results is July 2.
This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 8:36 PM.
