Judge Leads Early Simi Valley Mayoral Vote Count

Early returns show Mike Judge ahead of four rivals in the at-large race for Simi Valley mayor.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single plain ballot box centered on an empty civic plaza against low hills. — Early returns show Mike Judge leading Simi Valley's at-large mayoral race with 41.7% of the vote as Ventura County counts remaining ballots. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Mike Judge held an early lead in the Simi Valley mayoral race with 41.7% of the vote, or 11,163 votes, as of 12:30 a.m. Nov. 4. Kareem Jubran trailed with 32.6%, while Dee Dee Cavanaugh had 21.7%.

Why it matters

The early returns cover only ballots cast at polling places on or before Election Day plus advance absentee ballots, so the standings could shift as later ballots are counted. The mayor serves a two-year term, making the outcome relevant to local council leadership.

Five candidates are running in an at-large election, with Judge leading 11,163 votes to Jubran's 8,734 as of 12:30 a.m. Nov. 4. Late-arriving ballots remain uncounted and could change the totals.

The players

Mike Judge

Judge is a former Los Angeles Police Department officer who has served on the Simi Valley City Council since 2010 and as mayor pro tem in several years.

Kareem Jubran

Jubran is a candidate trailing Judge in the early count for the Simi Valley mayoral seat.

Dee Dee Cavanaugh

Cavanaugh is the current mayor of Simi Valley, appointed by the City Council in 2025 after Fred Thomas died, and has served on the council since 2016.

The details

The Ventura County Elections Division released the Nov. 3 results, which include votes cast at polling places on or before that day and advance absentee ballots. Ballots submitted on or shortly before Election Day or mailed close to it will be counted in the days ahead.

2010: Mike Judge is first elected to the City Council.
2016: Dee Dee Cavanaugh is first elected to the City Council.
2021: Judge retires from the Los Angeles Police Department after more than three decades.
2025: Council members appoint Cavanaugh mayor after Fred Thomas dies.
Nov. 3, 2026: Simi Valley mayoral election is held and early results are reported.

Legal Context

Cavanaugh was appointed mayor by the council in 2025 after Fred Thomas died, so this election is the first time voters decide the office directly in this cycle. The result will establish whether the council's selection is endorsed by the electorate in a two-year term.

The mayor is elected to a two-year term, so the winner will guide city leadership through the next two years. Residents should check the Ventura County Elections Division for updated totals as counting continues.

The takeaway

Early leads in local races can shift as late ballots are counted, so the final result will only be clear once all votes are tallied. Voters should watch official updates rather than early totals alone.

What happens next

Remaining ballots mailed or dropped off near Election Day will be counted in the days and weeks ahead, and the standings may change as they are tallied.