A total of five candidates are running for two open seats on the
Hollister City Council, while there is plenty of competition for
San Juan City Council and an array of open school district seats,
according to election filings.
A total of five candidates are running for two open seats on the Hollister City Council, while there is plenty of competition for San Juan City Council and an array of open school district seats, according to election filings.
The slate of candidates is set for the city and school seats on the November ballot. For Hollister City Council, districts 2 and 3 are up for grabs. In District 2, Councilwoman Eugenia Sanchez will not seek a second term. In District 3, Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia will seek a fourth term.
Valdivia will face resident Scott McPhail, most widely known for his role as director of the Purple Cross medical marijuana dispensary. He has clashed with the city in recent months over the opening of the dispensary in downtown Hollister. District 3 largely covers the south-central side of Hollister.
Over in District 2, which covers the west side, former Councilman Robert Scattini has declared candidacy for another run. He served as District 2 councilman from 2002 to 2006, when Sanchez defeated him. Scattini is set to face off against two other candidates, newcomers Sergio Montanez and Estevan Guzman.
In races for the San Juan Bautista City Council, there are three seats open but just one incumbent running. Appointed incumbent Andy Moore will face challengers Jolene Cosio, Tony Boch and Jeffrey Bagley, according to filings.
Aside from the city council races, the two remaining contested county races – for sheriff and District 4 supervisor – are continuing on as candidates recently submitted the latest campaign finance disclosure statements.
There are an array of races for school trustee seats, meanwhile, on that same November ballot. Candidates declared intentions to run for office in every San Benito County district.
In the Hollister School District, there are three open seats. Just one incumbent, Bea Gonzales-Ramirez, filed for reelection. The challengers include Lupe Navarro, Elsa Rodriguez, Joe Navarro, David Redman, Michal Query, Elizabeth Sims and Chuck Spandri, according to elections office records.
In the San Benito High School District, there are three open seats. The three incumbents, Steve De Lay, Mary Encinias and William Tiffany, declared candidacy. Challengers include Tim Shellito and Guille Reynoso.
For the Gavilan Community College District’s San Benito County area, there are two open seats. Both incumbents, Elvira Zaragoza Robinson and Kent Child, declared candidacy. Challengers include Anthony Ruiz and Stelvio Locci.
Over in the North County Joint Union District, two seats are open. Both incumbents filed. They include Cindy King and Rodney Bianchi.
For the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District, three seats are open. Incumbents Lou Fiori and Jeffry Hancock filed. Challengers include Bill Hunter, Magdalena Medina, Patricia Rainey and Tammy Springs, according to filings.
Aromas-San Juan district voters also will decide on a $9.7 million bond. According to an election document, it would go toward improving quality of education, attract qualified teachers, pay off facility loans and improvements to labs and classrooms, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, lighting and electrical, restrooms, the cafeteria.
In the Southside School District, three seats are open. All three incumbents – Jeanne Liam, Scott Gilbert and Bob Tiffany – are running again. They will be joined by challenger Wallace Jones.
In the Bitterwater-Tully School District, there are four open seats. Incumbents Lynn Dodge, Traci Eggleston and Zerilda Wornica declared candidacy.
In the Cienega School District, three seats are open. Two residents filed, incumbents Sharon Rogers and James Gabel.
In the Jefferson School District, three seats are open. Incumbent David Reikowski and appointed incumbent Debbie Cardoza declared. Challenger Leann Falsey has as well.
The Panoche district has two openings. Incumbents Gardiner Hammond and Charles McCullough filed.
In the Tres Pinos district, there are three openings. Appointed incumbent Tamara Biechman was the only resident to declare.
Willow Grove has two openings. Incumbents Carole Greenwald-Aldrich, Joe Van Order and Dorinda Rivera will be challenged by Sandy Patterson.
The Aromas Water District has contested seats as well. Those running include Bonnie Mahler, Stuart Cardott, Sylvia Borchard and Marcus Dutra.
ELECTION DATES AHEAD
Sept. 23-Oct. 12: Period when sample ballots mailed out
Oct. 4: Commence issuing vote-by-mail ballots
Oct. 5: Deadline to file first campaign disclosure statement for July 1-Sept. 30
Oct. 15: Close of voter registration
Oct. 21: Deadline for filing second campaign disclosure statement through Oct. 16
Nov. 2: Election Day
