Election brings leadership changes to SB

By ALEXANDREA BAILEY
editor@sbnewspaper.com

The outcome of the May 6 General Election has resulted in dramatic power shifts in the San Benito City Commission and school board.

SAN BENITO CITY COMMISSION
In the San Benito City Commission, incumbent Mayor Ricardo “Rick” Guerra, staved off two opponents, Rene Garcia, who stepped down from his spot on the City Commission to run for mayor, and former mayor Ben “Benjamin” Gomez, who tallied 6.64 percent of the vote or 143 votes. Garcia garnered 670 votes, while Guerra wooed 1,340 votes or 62.24 percent of the votes.

“I’m humbled and honored by your vote of confidence. To each of you who supported me during this re-election effort, you are the reason we celebrated a victory last night, and I am forever thankful,” Guerra wrote on a Facebook post upon his victory. “I believe in San Benito and the future it offers for each and every one of us, and I look forward to our many continued successes together; muchisimas gracias a todos (thank you all very much)” Guerra concluded.

For Pl. 1 on the San Benito City Commission — vacated by Garcia — Guerra’s teammate Tom Goodman garnered 1,886 or 55.63 percent of the vote over opponent and San Benito School District educator Eddie Abrego, who earned 946 votes or 44.37 percent of the votes.

Deborah Morales, meanwhile, upset incumbent commissioner Rene Villafranco for the Pl. 2 seat on the commission, tallying 1,198 votes (56.27 percent) to Villafranco’s 931 votes (43.73 percent).

“I want to first thank God for this victory! Secondly, my family and supporters that stood out there, campaigned for us, and made calls — we couldn’t have made it without you,” Morales stated in a social media post. “I am humbled for the support and outpouring of well wishes. It took teamwork.”

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