Next month, the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District Board of Trustees could see a new face for its Area 2 seat.

In the running for the seat, Don Cabral Jr. will look to maintain his spot on the board against challenger Hugo Luna.

While the board’s Area 5 is technically also up for election, incumbent Frank Rivas is running unopposed, likely meaning he will be reelected.

Hugo Luna

Luna’s fondest memories growing up in the Westside was helping his parents at their tax company Luna Business Services. That was where he saw his mother handled numbers for taxes and customers. Being around in the business environment grew his interest in pursuing a career in becoming an auditor.

After graduating from Gustine High in 2008, Luna attended UC Davis where he majored in economics and international relations. He graduated with his bachelor’s degrees in economics and international relations in 2013.

Following college, Luna went back to Gustine High as a career technician and worked at Winton Unified, where he helped audited the district’s budget. Today, he handles the audit of the more than 65 school districts across the state for Christy White, Inc.

With his experiences in handling audits, Luna hopes to bring those skills as a NCLUSD Trustee. “I want to give it all back and make the district a better place in any way I can,” Luna said.

As a trustee, Luna said he wants to share his budgeting strategies and connect the district with resources on how to tackle its projected $2.6 million budget deficit this school year.

With multiple weeks until the Nov. 3 election, Luna said he wants to build trust within the community and wants to be available to speak with them.

He is endorsed by the Newman-Crows Landing Teachers Association.

Don Cabral Jr:

Cabral Jr was elected to the Board of Trustees alongside Rivas in November 2022. He and Rivas were sworn in a month later. Cabral Jr. later became Board President in December 2024.

He has built a career in fire protection and emergency services that spans more than two decades. Since 2003, he has served as a Battalion Chief with the West Stanislaus County Fire Protection District and he holds the position of Fire Captain at Defense Distribution Depot in Tracy, according to his Facebook page.

His educational foundation comes from the Community College of the Air Force.

Cabral Jr. did not respond to the Westside Connect’s request for comment prior to publication.