Third District Yolo County Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy has announced she won’t seek re-election in 2026, setting the stage for what could be a competitive race.

On Sunday, Sandy sent out a newsletter making her announcement on the position she’s held since October 2023, after being appointed to fill the role by Gov. Gavin Newsom, taking over after her husband, former Supervisor Gary Sandy, died.

At the time of her appointment, Sandy became the first woman to serve on the Board since 2010 and the first woman to represent the 3rd District, which generally encompasses Woodland and rural areas outside the community such as Bryte, Broderick, and the Wild Wings Community.

She ran for re-election in March 2024, defeating Xochitl Rodriguez Murillo.

“Since then, I’ve made incredible connections in the community I’ve called home for 40+ years,” she wrote of her time on the five-member board.

Sandy reported that after she steps down, she will continue her work as executive director of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, “where I believe I can make the most impact, especially given the challenges schools and universities are facing at the national level.”

“The next election is a year away, and several prospective candidates for third district supervisor have already stepped forward,” Sandy stated. “I’m announcing my plans now so voters in District 3 have the time they need to learn about the choices ahead.”

The next primary election is in June 2026.

Already, Woodland City Councilwoman Mayra Vega has filed paperwork with the Yolo County Elections Department to run for the position. Vega filed an intention statement on April 21.

She will be facing Xochitl Rodriguez Murillo, who filed her paperwork on June 5. Murillo is a former Woodland councilwoman and ran against Sandy in 2024, losing with 4,661 votes to Sandy’s 5,540.

Sandy stated that she intends to continue serving through the end of her term in 2026 and remains “fully committed to my responsibilities as chair through the end of this year.”

Sandy also wrote that she is “excited about continuing my work in several key areas” including expanding availability of affordable housing and programs to support the un-housed; working on water management issues from the Yolo Bypass to the Hungry Hollow area of northern Yolo County; advancing the mission of the Yolo Habitat Conservancy to conserve natural and working landscapes and implement regional habitat conservation; supporting our communities, particularly our immigrant and farmworker communities; and working to develop short- and long-term budget strategies that will stabilize programming and support both efficiency and effectiveness in county government.

At the time of her election in March 2024, Sandy said she was “proud to have earned the support of the voters and constituents of the 3rd Supervisorial District.

“Being chosen to serve on the board is a privilege, allowing me to advocate for the concerns of the community and contribute to the continued enhancement of Yolo County,” she said. “It is a great honor to work alongside county staff and my esteemed colleagues on the board.”