Gonzales voters made their choices in three contested City Council races during Tuesday’s Nov. 3 general election, with Elizabeth “Liz” Silva taking a commanding lead in the mayoral race and Constance “Connie” Arellano and Delia Gutierrez leading their respective district contests.
Silva, who has served as mayor pro tem for the last two years, held a substantial lead over her two challengers in the race to become Gonzales' next mayor with 859 votes. Challenger Andrew Castillo received 219 votes, while Henry Laizure McDowell received 75 votes as of 1:46 pm on Thursday, Nov. 5.
“I'm born and raised in Gonzales and I've been serving our community on the council for almost 18 years," Silva says. "I'm just excited that those that took the time to vote, which unfortunately was probably around 30 percent of our voters, but at least those who did go out and vote have given me their vote of confidence.”
In the District 1 City Council race, incumbent Maria Orozco is behind challenger Gutierrez. Orozco received 152 votes, while Gutierrez followed closely with 162 votes, making the District 1 contest one of the closest races in the city, as of 1:46pm on Thursday, Nov. 5.
Meanwhile, in District 4, Arellano, a 911 dispatcher in the county for the last 27 years, is leading Henry Martinez Sr. for the council seat's two-year term. Arellano received 261 votes, compared with Martinez's 37 votes.
The District 4 race was the most decisive of the three contested Gonzales elections.
“I'm very grateful and really surprised with the numbers since it was my first time running. So I really appreciate everybody voting and supporting me,” Arellano says. “I am looking forward to being on the council and making some changes and improvements to the city of Gonzales.”
Voters also selected Adrian Paco, who ran unopposed for the District 3 council seat, receiving 194 votes as of 1:46pm on Thursday, Nov. 5.
Election results remain unofficial as Monterey County officials continue counting ballots.
Residents can follow updated results through the Monterey County Elections Office.