Merced Council District 2: Rojas-Flores Leads Incumbent Thao in Early Returns

MERCED, Merced County — November 4, 2026. Felipe Rojas-Flores is ahead of incumbent Yang Pao Thao in the election for Merced City Council District 2.

Preliminary results

The reported count is 625 votes for Rojas-Flores and 488 for Thao, a margin of 137 votes. The two candidates account for most reported candidate selections, with write-ins recorded separately.

What the vote means locally

The reported margin is specific to Council District 2. The contest should not be combined with Merced’s District 6 vote or with the citywide Measure B sales-tax election.

Counting is not finished

These results are based on the election returns available on the morning of November 4, 2026, generally updated through 2:07 a.m. Pacific. Officials still must examine and count eligible ballots received after the election-night snapshot. Only the county’s completed canvass and certification establish final outcomes. The names and totals above are not a fresh November 5 count.

Sources: Los Banos Enterprise — Merced County election results, November 4, reporting county election returns; Merced County Elections — official results portal. See California58 election coverage.

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