(L-R) Ron Sahu (Photo – ronsahu,com). Amy J. Wong (Photo – amyforalhambra.com). Background: A file photo from a recent event in Alhambra.
As the midterm election year progresses on the national level, with surprising primary wins here and there, it seems Alhambra has its own share of electoral drama.
By Ari Gutierrez Arambula
The most surprising development in Alhambra may be that First District Councilmember Katherine Lee did not file her nomination documents by the August 6, 2026, deadline. This would have been her third and final term in office had she run and won.
Lee and others had filed their intention to run early in the process. Other candidates include Amy J. Wong, who recently moved to Alhambra and has been involved in the data center campaign in neighboring Monterey Park and now in Alhambra.
Dr. Ranajit (Ron) Sahu, a longtime Alhambra resident and former Planning Commissioner, also filed his intention to run, but dropped out of the race when it appeared the incumbent would seek a third term.
Upon learning of Lee’s last-minute change of heart, however, Sahu jumped back into the race.
Under the California Elections Code, if an incumbent does not qualify for the ballot, a five-day extension is granted for anyone who meets the requirements to submit the necessary qualifying documentation. Despite the short notice, Sahu successfully filed his nomination paperwork and qualified for the ballot.
Had Sahu not qualified, Wong could have been appointed to the seat by default. Now, Wong will face Sahu in what is an “open seat” contest for Alhambra’s First District.
In other Alhambra races, Councilmember Ross Maza is unopposed and will serve his third term. In the Fifth District, Councilmember Adele Andrade-Stadler is again being challenged for her seat by two people.
New to the race is Melissa Michelson, a college professor and active community advocate who recently served on the Historic Preservation Commission. Also challenging Andrade-Stadler is commercial plumber Alejandro Covarrubias, who failed to qualify in his previous attempt.
The deadline to register to vote is October 19, 2026. Vote-by-mail ballots will begin arriving October 5, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
To register to vote or check your registration status, visit registertovote.ca.gov.
[Update: We learned the writer of this piece made a financial contribution to Ron Sahu’s campaign. We are disclosing this information so readers can take it into account when evaluating the article. August 19, 9:55 am.]
Interesting turn of events. Looking forward to learn more about each candidate’s platform and vision for Alhambra. Dr. Ron Sahu’s long history living in Alhambra and his involvement as a past (current?) commissioner is a huge positive in my book. Being a Caltech PhD grad is icing on the cake! That said, I would like to know more about Ms. Wong and what she brings to the table.
Go Amy Wong for Alhambra! Dedicated community leader. I have worked with Amy, and appreciate her dedication to community through her many years at Nature for All, Active SGV, Day One, SGV Progressive Action, Matilija Collective, and now South Coast Air Quality Management District. She also was a planning commissioner.
She is a smart, young, proactive and caring leader that will be great for Alhambra.
An exciting race for sure. Is the writer the same Ari Arambula that’s listed on Ron Sahu’s website as an endorser? I think it might be a good idea to disclosed that in this article.
Well that changes a lot