Incumbent Supervisor Jerry Muenzer held a lead over challenger Victor Gomez in the race for the District 4 county board seat after early results released Tuesday.
Muenzer had 848 votes to 745 for Gomez. That’s an advantage of 53.1 percent to 46.65 percent, according to the latest unofficial results.
Muenzer gained more votes than Gomez after the June primary – which historically has a much lower turnout than the November General Election – which also included challenger Daniel Recht. Muenzer held an advantage of 101 votes, or 4.38 percent, over Gomez in the June primary.
Muenzer is seeking his second, four-year term on the San Benito County Board of Supervisors. Gomez is attempting to move into county politics from his city seat where he is serving a second term as councilman.
Previously, Muenzer owned the family-owned Muenzer’s Cyclery & Sports Center business in downtown Hollister that closed its sporting goods store in early 2013 and now runs a locksmith shop. He is perhaps most known as a supervisor for his involvement with efforts to make Pinnacles a national park.
Gomez is in his second term representing District 4 on the Hollister City Council. The former owner of the Hollister Papa Murphy’s pizza store now works for a San Jose councilman, while he has continually touted a pro-business agenda.
The two throughout the campaign focused much of their debate on the economy and tourism, though recent concerns from residents at the Ridgemark gated community – about deterioration of the golf property and cutting down of trees – had gained much of their attention.
For the latest election results, go to SBCVote.us.
