Democrat

District 1 · Imperial County

Jesús Eduardo Escobar "Cachu"

Working for a safer, stronger county for all families.

Get to know him

About

A lifelong Calexico resident. Trained as an accountant, with a Master's in Business Administration. Before politics he built a 16-year banking career, and today runs his own customs brokerage — a business that gives him firsthand knowledge of what it takes to create jobs at the border. His work as District 1 Supervisor since 2018 has focused on infrastructure, economic development, and the county's relationship with the border.

Achievements

City Councilmember for Calexico (2016–2019)
Elected District 1 Supervisor in 2018 with 55.14% of the vote; re-elected in 2022 with 53.14%
Board of Supervisors Chairman in 2022
Created the Imperial Valley Southern Border Committee (2020), coordinating the county, Calexico, and IID on border issues
Abstained from voting on Gateway water plant funding (2021) after disclosing a conflict of interest — documented ethics on the public record
Cast the only vote in favor of AB 918 (2023), advancing a regional single medical district
Voted in favor of appeals against the Oro Cruz mining project (2024)
Championed adoption of the Lithium Valley Economic Opportunity Investment Plan (approved unanimously in 2022); chaired the state subcommittee and was a featured speaker at the Battery Minerals & Mines Summit
Voted NO on the LiNC incentive program (2026), challenging its design without opposing lithium development
Established protocols for transparent handling of county public funds, after an outside bank was approved to process credit applications using county funds
Championed a tax on solar development on the county's agricultural and non-agricultural land, paid entirely by the investors
Advanced north-south road infrastructure in Calexico (Ferrell Rd., Clark Road, Dogwood Rd., and Barbara Worth Rd., with ongoing work on Bowker Rd. and Jasper Road) and supported funding for Calexico airport maintenance
Championed county support and meetings to rebuild the West Anza Bridge in Calexico
Established direct contact with Mexican Customs and CBP to advance the west-side pedestrian and vehicle port of entry
As Chairman, pushed for a fairer distribution of COVID-19 vaccines for the county relative to neighboring counties, and reported 316 vaccination clinics with 43,272 vaccines administered
Provided economic support to local businesses affected during the reconstruction of Birch Street (Highway 98) in Calexico
Direct lobbying in Washington D.C. for more border-crossing staffing and federal infrastructure funding
Championed the partnership between Imperial Valley College and the lithium industry; business and finance instructor at the same institution; 25+ years as a licensed customs broker

Endorsed By

County Sheriff
Personal endorsement from Sheriff Fred Miramontes and Undersheriff Robert Benavides, the department's chief and second-in-command.
County Fire Department
Official endorsement from the Imperial County Firefighters Association.

Also endorsed by

Sheriff Fred Miramontes
Undersheriff Robert Benavides
Imperial County Firefighters Association
Democrats United Imperial Valley
Democrats United Imperial Valley

Community

Friends with Cachu

Neighbors and families across District 1 already showing their support. Join in with your photo!

See all the photos

Platform

Priorities

Border
More CBP/Border Patrol staffing at crossings; direct contact with Mexican Customs and CBP to advance the west-side pedestrian and vehicle port of entry; better logistics at existing crossings to speed up local traffic flow; regional collaboration and county-level funding.
Economy & Jobs
Attracting industry and economic development as a direct response to the lack of opportunity in Calexico; responsible support for Lithium Valley as one of our Valley's potential economic detonators.
Responsible Development
Did not approve construction of a data center — the vote was on a lot line merger, a distinct process required by law. Opposes data center development in the Imperial Valley and calls for a review of land-use laws to prevent this confusion from happening again.
New River
Work with state and local agencies to improve the New River on Calexico's west side, with trash collection, channel covering, and sewage diversion, plus a treated-water pumping system back to the river's source.
Air Quality
Raise awareness of California and county controls on crop burning, and demand action on unregulated burning in the Mexicali Valley that affects air quality on the U.S. side.
County Employees
Correcting below-market wages after years of deferred raises.

Video

Lithium & Energy

In an interview with Jesús Hernández Bermúdez on Radio Mexicana, Cachu explains the progress of the direct lithium extraction project in the Imperial Valley — a process that takes time because it requires careful planning.

Downtown Calexico

In an interview, Cachu outlines his two-part plan to revive downtown Calexico: greater city engagement on cleanliness, public safety, and lighting, plus private-sector investment.

Radio Interview

Cachu sits down for a local radio interview touching on issues that matter to the community, including public insurance.

Border

Every day, thousands of families cross through Calexico to work, study, and be with loved ones — Cachu explains his work on the Board of Supervisors to bring more agents to the ports of entry, coordinate with Mexican Customs, and improve border logistics.

Data Center

Short clip where Cachu reiterates that no data center has ever been voted on or approved anywhere in the Imperial Valley, and that the final decision will be made by the people through their vote.

Radio Interview

Jesús Eduardo Escobar talks with host Jesús Hernández Bermúdez on Radio Mexicana about Calexico's current situation and needs.

De Anza Bridge

Cachu answers a common question about the bridge on West Ends A Bridge Road, near the Calexico outlets — explaining that its upkeep falls under the city, not the county, and detailing the steps he's already taken on the issue.

Public meeting

Jesús Eduardo "Cachu" Escobar in session at the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, representing District 1.

New River

In an interview, Supervisor Escobar details the improvements already made to the New River — trash collection, channel encasement, and treated-water flow, backed by over $40 million in state investment — and calls for federal and international investment to fully resolve the pollution affecting Calexico's health.

Endorsement

Cachu endorses Dr. Ida Obeso-Martínez, Democratic candidate for California State Assembly District 36 — citing shared goals on economic development, sustainable jobs, and infrastructure and public health investment for the Imperial Valley.

Data Center

In an interview with IPE News, Supervisor Escobar clarifies that the April 2026 Board vote approved a lot merger — not a data center, and none has been approved to date. He opposes one in the short term and calls for a resident advisory committee and a public vote before any decision.

Get Involved

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How to Vote

The general election is on November 3, 2026, with polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. You can register up to 15 days before the election and vote by mail by requesting a ballot from the Imperial County Registrar of Voters (940 W Main St, Room 206, El Centro, CA · (442) 265-1060).

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