Riverside County Supervisors to Seat New Chair, Vice Chair at First 2026 Meeting

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors is set to seat new leadership during its first meeting of 2026, with Supervisor Karen Spiegel expected to assume the role of chair and Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez slated to become vice chair.

The leadership appointments require approval by a majority vote of the board. If confirmed, Spiegel—who represents the county’s Second District—will return to the center seat for the first time since 2021. Gutierrez, who began representing the Fifth District in January 2023, would serve in a countywide leadership role for the first time, aside from committee assignments.

Incoming chairs typically outline their priorities for the year at the start of their term, though much of the board’s agenda is driven by county departments seeking funding or policy changes. Spiegel has not yet publicly announced her priorities for 2026, but both she and Gutierrez are expected to address their goals during the meeting.