Your Guide to Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors District 3 election
Stanislaus County Supervisor Terry Withrow is running for a fifth term, and he doesn’t have an opponent this time.
Since his first election to the Board of Supervisors in 2010, Withrow has been a leader in water policy, fiscal management, transportation and behavioral health.
Withrow, who’s politically conservative, survived a scare from former Modesto Councilman Tony Madrigal in the “blue wave” election in 2018, winning by only 129 votes. But he had an easier time defending the board seat in other elections.
Fellow county supervisor Mani Grewal and a challenger, Jennifer “Rally” Valenzuela, also are on the June 2 primary ballot.
Where is District 3?
Withrow represents a district taking in west Modesto, Wood Colony, Salida and the Riverdale area, which is the focus of a $10.8 million county project for neighborhood improvements.
Highway 132 runs through the middle of the district. The state highway is considered a hazardous two-lane roadway without a median to separate the lanes.
The incumbent’s goals for fifth term
Withrow, 66, plans to work on completing the second phase of the Highway 132 bypass from Dakota Avenue to Gates Road. The bypass route to improve traffic flow in and out of Modesto is a joint project of the county and city, California Department of Transportation and Stanislaus Council of Governments.
The start of construction is set for January 2027.
Withrow said he’s excited about the state’s direction of getting homeless people into mental health services or substance use treatment. The legislation amending the Mental Health Services Act changes how funds will be spent at the county level, he said.
He also wants to see more services expanded at The Hub, a resource center operated by the Public Defender’s Office to help former inmates and other people in the justice system rebuild their lives.
The veteran supervisor has served on committees including the StanCOG policy board, the Stanislaus County Employees’ Retirement Association board, Stanislaus Homeless Alliance, Water Advisory Committee and Local Agency Formation Commission.
According to campaign disclosures, Withrow had raised $66,400 in contributions as of Dec. 31 in preparation for a contested race that didn’t happen. Large donations included $5,400 from the Eakin Family Trust; $5,000 from JEM Ranches LLC; and $2,500 each from Cal Coast Almond Processing, Simon Investments, Porges Management Inc. and Stronger Valley PAC.
Withrow said the county has good employees trying to accomplish good work, but he would like to see county government move quicker to effect change and help people.
