Two Antioch Unified board seats came up this year. The Antioch Herald reported that the Area 5 race was set in August, after a third would-be candidate did not complete the filing process. Area 2 incumbent Jag Lathan did not seek reelection, so filing there was extended. Only Area 5 appears on the county’s list of contested races.
The candidates
- Mary Rocha is the incumbent. Her campaign site says she has lived in Antioch for nearly 60 years and served as mayor, city council member and school board trustee. She says the district’s challenges include staying fiscally responsible and strengthening support for special education and English learners. She points to her budget experience.
- Brandon Dawkins describes himself as a health care worker and labor and community organizer, and a father of five with four children in Antioch schools. His slogan is “Whole Student, Whole Community.” In his Ballotpedia statement he calls for more unarmed campus safety staff trained in de-escalation, counselors and wellness rooms in every school, protections for undocumented students, and project labor agreements for facilities work.
Voters in Area 5 pick one. For drop boxes and early voting, see our Contra Costa voting guide.
How to vote
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls and vote centers close at 8 p.m., and mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive within seven days. You can check your registration and ballot status at sos.ca.gov/elections. California lets you register and vote the same day at a vote center. For more local races and measures, see our 2026 Bay Area election hub.