Races for City Council, Mayor Take Shape as Candidates Face Deadlines

The March 3rd election is taking shape as multiple candidates have qualified for the election and those who have not face fast-approaching filing deadlines.

he nominating period closes on Friday at 5 p.m. for races with an incumbent.

Besides the Mayor’s race, seats in City Council, districts 1, 2, 4, 6 and the are being contested.

Nomination petitions for City Council seats must be signed by at least 25 qualified voters residing in the respective Council district for which the candidate is running for office.

In the Mayor’s race, incumbent Mayor Terry Tornek has qualified for the election, while former City Commissioner Jason Hardin has also reportedly filed the required 25 signatures and paid the fees, as of Wednesday night.

Mayoral candidates Major Williams and District 5 Councilman Victor Gordo have yet to file the required papers.

Incumbents Tyron Hampton, Gene Masuda and Steve Madison have pulled papers against a host of newcomers.

The City was forced to change its election dates to comply with statewide elections after State Attorney General Xavier Becerra informed city officials they must comply with the California Voter Participation Rights Act, passed in 2015 to increase voter participation in municipal elections.

District 1’s Hampton, who qualified for the election on Tuesday, is squaring off against Anthony Montiel and Darrell Nash.

Meanwhile, in District 2, candidates have a few more days to file the necessary paperwork to file for the election since no incumbent is running. Longtime District 2 Councilmember Margaret McAustin announced her intentions to step down earlier this year.

Planning Commissioner Felicia Williams has qualified for the election along with Kevin Litwin.

Patricia Keane, Alex Heiman and Bo Patatian have also pulled papers. District 2 candidates have until Dec. 11 to file their paperwork.

In District 4, Masuda is squaring off against Charlotte Bland and Joe Baghdadlian and Kevin Wheeler. As of Wednesday night only Masuda and Baghdadlian have qualified for the election.

In District 6, incumbent Madison is facing William Declercq, Mark Hannah, Ryan Bell and Tamerlin Godley.

Madison and Gordo are endorsed by former Mayor Bill Bogaard.

In order to win outright in March, candidates must receive at least 50% plus one vote. If no candidate reaches that benchmark, the two persons receiving the highest number of votes in the Primary Nominating Election will advance to a runoff nine months later.

Candidates in the runoff elections will have to raise more money in order to stay competitive until the General Election in November.

Turnout is expected to be high for both the March and November elections.