With more than 5,500 ballots left to count, the June 2 ballot measure to remove San Benito County Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez from office still holds a narrow lead.
According to updated election results posted by the registrar of voters’ office Thursday night, “yes” votes number 857 in the tally. “No” votes add up to 833—trailing by only 24 votes.
A total of 1,690 ballots have been counted in the recall vote, which appeared on ballots within Velazquez’s Supervisorial District 5. The measure requires a simple majority to pass.
If Velazquez is recalled by the June 2 voters, Gov. Gavin Newsom will be tasked with appointing a replacement to finish his four-year term that ends in 2028.
The recall was initiated by a group of local residents that calls itself “Safer San Benito,” in response to Velazquez’s support of a new contract with the City of Hollister for fire services. Velazquez joined the board majority in approving the county contract in 2025.
According to the registrar’s website, election officials still have 5,528 ballots left to count from voters throughout the county. Of those, 34 are provisional ballots and 235 are damaged, unreadable or challenged.
In other local races on the June 2 ballot, District 3 Supervisor Mindy Sotelo leads Peter Hernandez with 72% of the votes counted; and District 4 Supervisor Angela Curro leads challenger Roxanne Stephens, the mayor of Hollister, with 66 percent.
County Clerk-Recorder Francisco Diaz leads his reelection bids with about 82% of the vote against Dane Sanchez; Jennifer Logue leads Gwen Baquiran for County Superintendent of Schools, with 56% of the votes. And County Auditor-Controller Joe Paul Gonzalez is on the verge of losing his post, trailing Laura Garcilazo who has received about 56% of the votes counted so far in that race.
The county’s Measure D Cannabis Business Tax retains a solid lead, with “yes” votes counting for about 68% of the total ballots counted.
The Measure D ordinance will allow the county to tax cannabis cultivation in unincorporated areas at a rate of $1,000-$10,000 per acre. All revenues will go to the county’s general fund, which pays for local public safety, road improvements and other services.
County elections officials plan to release the next round of election results by 1pm June 6.
