By Hola Nebraska
Omaha, NE – Douglas County is set to make history in the 2026 election cycle as a record number of Latino/Hispanic candidates step forward to run for public office. Eight candidates have confirmed their candidacy, of which several will be filing to run for office together during a joint filing event on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the Douglas County Election Commission.
This moment reflects the growing civic engagement and leadership of the Latino community across Douglas County, signaling a powerful step toward more representative local governance.
Joint Filing Event
When: Monday, January 12, 2026 | 4:00 p.m.
Where: Douglas County Election Commission
12220 W. Center Rd., Omaha, NE 68144
2026 Hispanic/Latino Candidates
- Denise Powell – U.S. Congressional District 2
- Tony Vargas – Douglas County Treasurer
- Christian Espinosa – Douglas County Treasurer
- Yanira Garcia – Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority, District 3
- Sarah Dragon – Learning Community, Subcouncil 5
- Viridiana Almanza Zavala – Omaha Public Schools Board, Subdistrict 8
- Mayra Piedrahita – Learning Community, Subcouncil 5
- An additional candidate to be announced
Denise Powell – Candidate for U.S. Congressional District 2, Yanira Garcia – Current Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority, District 3, Mayra Piedrahita – Candidate for Learning Community, Subcouncil 5.
Current Latino Representation in Douglas County
Historically, Douglas County has had between one and three Latino elected officials at any given time. Today, that number has grown to six:
- Roger Garcia – Douglas County Commissioner and Board Chair
- Yanira Garcia – Incumbent, Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority, District 3
- Daniel Padilla – Incumbent, Regional Metropolitan Transit Authority, District 4
- Dunixi Guereca – Nebraska State Senator, Legislative District 7
- Margo Juarez – Nebraska State Senator, Legislative District 5
- Viridiana Almanza Zavala – Incumbent, OPS School Board, Subdistrict 8
If the eight candidates filing in 2026 are elected, Douglas County would see a net gain of five Latino/Hispanic elected officials, bringing the total to 11 Latino/Hispanic officeholders by 027—a historic milestone for representation, civic leadership, and democratic participation in Nebraska.
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