Former Hughson Mayor Jeramy Young has officially entered the 2026 race for District 4 state senator.

Young, currently the Chief of Police in Livermore, filed papers with the state on Thursday and will run as a Republican.

“I’ve had a lifetime of public service,” said Young, who served on the Hughson City Council from 2010-16, was then mayor until 2020, and also served as chairman of the Stanislaus Council of Governments. (StanCOG). “I’ve had 30 years a police officer, and now as police chief, and I enjoy trying to improve the quality of life for people. I feel like this is the next step. I feel like I have a great background and can make a difference in Sacramento for the people in our district.”

After filing his paperwork, Young learned later in the day he’d have an unexpected Republican challenger: incumbent Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson). The freshman legislator served the first two years of her term as a Democrat, but bolted for the GOP on Thursday, saying, “I’m more committed to giving a voice to my district than playing games in Sacramento. This is about doing the right thing for my constituents in Senate District 4, and it’s clear their interests are not reflected in today’s Democratic Party.”

Young, a Hughson resident, said he thought the announcement of Alvarado-Gil’s party switch — just hours after he filed — was “interesting.”

“Her voting record is not conservative … that’s the interesting part,” said Young, a former member of the Modesto Police Department, where he achieved the rank of lieutenant. “I’m a true conservative. A lifelong, common-sense Republican, and there’s no question about my record.”

In 2022, eight Republicans ran for the District 4 seat, including well-known former U.S. Rep. George Radanovich (R-Mariposa). But the GOP candidates splintered the vote in the heavily conservative district, allowing two Democrats to advance to the general election. In California, the top two vote-getters advance to the November election, regardless of party affiliation. 

“I want the people of the district to know that if they want to elect a conservative, then I’m their choice,” Young said.