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-Editorial
History was made at the Jan. 6 meeting of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors as the board selected Supervisor District 3 Peggy Price to serve as chair for 2026.
The board also appointed Supervisor District 2 Martha Cardenas-Singh, who represents District 2, as vice chair for the year. This marks the first time in the history of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors that both the chair and vice chair are women.
Price replaces Supervisor District 5 John Hawk, who concluded his term as chair after serving as head of the board during 2025.
Hawk said he was honored to have served as chair during a year he described as marked by “excitement, intrigue, change, and success.” He referenced his March State of the County address, when he said the county was “thriving,” while noting that the months that followed brought significant leadership changes, including two top-level vacancies and five department head changes, one due to retirement.
Hawk compared the year to a rebuilding season, saying the county is in a transition he believes will lead to future success. He said serving Imperial County had been “a privilege,” and wished Peggy Price success as she assumes the chair role.
Newly elected Chair Price said she was “deeply honored” to assume the leadership role, noting it has been 36 years since a woman last served as chair of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors.
She acknowledged past female leaders, including former Supervisor Val Blume, and Jeannie Vogel, crediting them with “paving the way” for women in county government.
Price thanked the board for its confidence and said she looked forward to working collaboratively with fellow supervisors and county leadership. She also expressed appreciation to her husband for his support, saying it has enabled her to continue serving in public office.
Supervisor Cardenas-Singh congratulated Price on her selection as chair, praising her long-standing service to the community.
Cardenas-Singh said she has known Price for many years and described her record as one defined by “service and commitment” to Imperial County. She said both have worked as advocates for girls and women of all ages and expressed pride in sharing what she called a historic moment. Cardenas-Singh said she looked forward to Price’s leadership, which she said is characterized by “grace, integrity, and diligence.”
The chair presides over board meetings and represents the board at official functions, while the vice chair assumes those duties in the chair’s absence.