Zern Leads Davis School Board Race
Early returns show Colleen Zern far ahead of Dorte Jensen in Davis Joint Unified School District Trustee Area 1.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Colleen Zern led Dorte Jensen 85.6% to 14.4% in Davis Joint Unified School District Trustee Area 1 early returns. Incumbent Joe DiNunzio led Kurt Wendlenner 68.4% to 31.6% in Trustee Area 3, and Elizabeth Moon led Beth Bourne 88.5% to 11.5% in Trustee Area 4.
Why it matters
The results show strong voter support across the Davis Joint Unified School District's trustee areas as the board weighs school closures and boundary changes. Measure W also drew support from 72% of voters in early results.
Early returns as of 8:15 p.m. show Zern, DiNunzio and Moon leading in their trustee areas, with Measure W drawing 72% support. Final totals depend on ballots still awaiting count.
The players
Colleen Zern
Zern led the race in Davis Joint Unified School District Trustee Area 1.
Joe DiNunzio
DiNunzio, the incumbent, led in Trustee Area 3.
Elizabeth Moon
Moon led in Trustee Area 4 and implemented the district's 'away for the day' cellphone policy.
The details
Yolo County reported the standings as of 8:15 p.m., including ballots processed before Election Day. The results cover Trustee Areas 1, 3 and 4 of the Davis Joint Unified School District board.
Timeline
September 2025: Bourne disrobed at a Davis Joint School Board meeting protesting district gender policies.
June: The district paused discussions of school closures and boundary changes.
Last month: Bourne was arrested at an anti-trans protest outside a Sonoma County high school.
This fall: The district implemented Moon's 'away for the day' cellphone policy.
Spring 2027 or later: District officials plan to reassess school closure and boundary change options.
Political Context
The board paused closure and boundary discussions in June, and officials plan to revisit them in spring 2027 or later. The early returns suggest the incumbents and candidates now leading in each area will shape that renewed debate.
The trustees elected will help decide future school closures and boundary changes that affect families in Davis. Residents in the affected trustee areas will see which candidates now hold these seats.
The takeaway
Local school board races can shape decisions on school closures and boundaries, so following the final certified count helps residents understand who will make those choices.
What happens next
District officials plan to reassess school closure and boundary change options in spring 2027 or later.
Further reading
Explore more on Elections in Davis.
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