Lizzie Cardenas challenges incumbent for Imperial Valley College Trustee Area 5 seat
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – As the November 3 midterm elections approach, the race for the Imperial Valley College (IVC) Governing Board Trustee Area 5 seat is heating up, bringing a familiar local face into the political spotlight.
Lizzie Cardenas, a lifelong resident of the Imperial Valley, mother, educator, and community advocate, has officially announced her candidacy.
She is challenging incumbent Betsy Lindbergh to represent Area 5, which covers parts of the City of El Centro.
Cardenas brings three decades of local public education experience to her campaign. She currently works as a school administrator at a TK-eighth grade campus and serves as a board member for the Meadow Union School District.
For Cardenas, the bid for the college trustee seat is deeply tied to her personal history. She is a proud graduate of both IVC and the San Diego State University (SDSU) Imperial Valley Campus.
“I loved attending IVC. It was the biggest part of my educational journey,” Cardenas said. “Running for IVC is personal for me. I have been working alongside students and families and the community, and I’ve seen firsthand the struggles that they’ve experienced. I want to ensure that I could advocate and support students in their next pathway.”
Cardenas’ campaign centers on three core priorities aimed at shaping the future of the college, its staff, and its student body:
1. Student Success and Affordability
Cardenas emphasizes the need to make higher education accessible while ensuring students have comprehensive support systems once enrolled. Her goals include strengthening academic transfer pathways to four-year universities and expanding vital student resources.
2. Workforce Development and Partnerships
With an eye toward regional economic growth, Cardenas aims to align college programs with local job market needs. She advocates for robust pipelines that prepare students for immediate employment through expanded partnerships connecting IVC with local school districts, regional employers, universities, and community organizations.
3. Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency
Cardenas believes the board owes absolute transparency to both students and regional taxpayers. Her platform calls for responsible, balanced budgeting and a commitment to investing strictly in programs that directly drive student success.
“What I bring is my heart, my heart to serve students, families, and Imperial Valley,” Cardenas shared. “I’m not running because I want a position. I’m running because I feel I can contribute meaningfully to this opportunity. I understand the responsibility of this position, and I will lead and guide it with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to our students and staff.”
Voters residing within Trustee Area 5 will make their final decision at the polls on Tuesday, November 3.
To find your designated polling location, check your registration status, or view a complete list of voting centers in Imperial County, visit the county website.
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