The League is holding back-to-back Candidate Forums in preparation for the 2026 midterms. This forum is for the Woodland City Council District 1 candidates, George Washington and Jesse Ortiz. The Woodland Joint Unified School District Trustee, Area 7 candidate forum is before this one at 6 pm.
When: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm, immediately following the WJUSD Forum
Location: Woodland Senior and Community Center 
Registration: See the form below to register for the in-person event
The event will be in-person and live-streamed with an opportunity for audience Q&A.
Rules: No campaign banners, signs, literature, handouts, buttons, T-shirts, or other campaign paraphernalia will be allowed in the forum meeting room.
Livestream by Woodland TV
The Candidates
George Washington
George Washington is a Woodland community leader, behavioral health professional, small-business owner, homeowner, husband, and father of seven. He is a candidate for Woodland City Council District 1, running a nonpartisan, Community First campaign centered on service, collaboration, and practical solutions.
George holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist, Certified Life Coach, and certified ACEs screener. He is the founder and president of Myndz Resources Foundation and the founder of the Woodland Strong Initiative, where he has created programs supporting youth, families, justice-involved individuals, and residents facing behavioral health challenges.
His community work includes youth mentorship, restorative justice, juvenile reentry, gang and substance-use prevention, financial literacy, homeless outreach, and efforts to reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health. These programs are designed to address immediate needs while creating long-term pathways toward stability, personal responsibility, and opportunity.
George also serves as a four-year trustee and Government and Public Relations Officer for Woodland Elks Lodge 1299. Through these leadership roles, he has worked with residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies to strengthen community partnerships and expand local resources.
His priorities include improving public safety through prevention, creating opportunities for youth and families, supporting police and fire services, protecting Woodland’s agricultural heritage, strengthening infrastructure, encouraging responsible economic development, supporting local businesses, and advancing compassionate but accountable solutions to homelessness and affordable housing.
George believes effective leadership begins with listening, accessibility, respect, and a willingness to work across differences. He is committed to bringing people together, finding common ground, and ensuring residents have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their neighborhoods. His goal is to move Woodland forward while preserving the character, values, and community spirit that make it home.
Dr. Jesse Ortiz
Dr. Ortiz was born and raised in Woodland, California and is a proud Woodland High School graduate. He is an alumnus of Yuba College, San Jose State University, Sacramento State University, and Brigham Young University where he received a Doctorate in Education.
After over thirty-eight years in public education Dr. Ortiz retired in 2018 as the elected Yolo County Superintendent of Schools. He has also served as an elected member of the Woodland School Board and Yolo County Board of Education. As a former Woodland School Board member he was the recipient of the Golden Apple Award by the Yolo County School Boards Association for his student-centered leadership. He is the only trustee to ever receive the award twice.
Dr. Ortiz has over forty-years of public service to Woodland and Yolo County. He is a strong public education advocate particularly enhancing educational equity for all students with a strong emphasis on first-generation and low-income students. He believes that all employees are the most valued resource of any organization and must be treated with respect and dignity.
He has served on the Woodland School Board, Parks & Recreation Commission, United Way, and First 5 Yolo. Volunteered with Yolo County Special Olympics and has many years coaching and refereeing youth sports in Woodland.
In October 2025 the Yolo County Office of Education honored Dr. Ortiz by naming a site, “Dr. Jesse Ortiz, Early Childhood Education Center.” He has also been a recipient of the Woodland Community Service Award.
He is a proud Marine Corps Vietnam-era veteran, American Legion member and a Sacramento Valley National Cemetery honor guard volunteer.
He has been married to Cruz for close to forty-eight years. They have two adult children who are Woodland High School graduates and three grandchildren.