In a race that is still too close to call, Sergio Montanez is
holding onto a 14-vote lead over Robert Scattini in the city
council’s District 2 contest, according to unofficial election
results.
In a race that is still too close to call, Sergio Montanez is holding onto a 14-vote lead over Robert Scattini in the city council’s District 2 contest, according to unofficial election results.
Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia, meanwhile, won her race in convincing fashion for a fourth term on the Hollister City Council representing District 3, according to unofficial election results.
The elections office said Wednesday it still needed to count an additional 2,800 mail-in ballots and another 400 to 500 provisional ballots before the election results were official.
With all precincts counted, Montanez holds a slim, 36.5 percent to 34.7 percent, over the former councilmember and marshal Scattini, according to the results. Estevan Guzman finished in third with just over 28 percent of the vote.
Montanez had 282 votes to Scattini’s 268 and Guzman’s 217.
Montanez or Scattini will succeed current councilwoman Eugenia Sanchez who chose not to run for a second term on the city council. Sanchez defeated Scattini for the seat in 2006.
Montanez, an accountant, remained happy but realized things could change over the next few days, he said.
“So far, so good,” he said. “I hope to hold this lead. It’s close, too close to call, but I’m really happy with the results so far.”
He said he is going to wait patiently until the final votes are tallied.
Ballots are expected to be counted by the end of the week, possibly carrying over until Monday, said Joe Paul Gonzalez, head election’s official.
Scattini noted how there 3,000 votes left – “so I’m pretty happy with the results,” he said.
“The city needs somebody that knows what is going on and gets the city,” he said. “I think a lot of people that know me, know I’ve been in public service for a long time. People know what I can do.
“They recognize they need somebody that realizes the situation and the community. I think they know I have the experience.”
He concluded: “This is my town, this is where I live, this where I was raised. I want to work to make it a better place for people.”
Sitting at third, Guzman realized his chances were slim but it was still close.
“I think it was really close,” he said. “I did everything. I gave it my all – I tried my best to win.”
He was somewhat disappointed but he still plans on being vocal within the community, he said.
“I was willing and ready to go four years at 100 percent. Unfortunately, it didn’t go that way.”
Guzman did see benefits. He thought Montanez and Scattini could handle the job.
“I think he’ll (Montanez) do a good job if he has the community at heart and not himself,” he said. “And Scattini has done it before. I have a positive feeling.”
