After Election night, results showed an even split of incumbents and new faces taking the dais in Gilroy. Incumbent mayor Marie Blankley held a narrow lead over political newcomer Greg Bozzo while City Councilmember Zach Hilton is on track to hold his seat, with Kelly Ramirez and Terence Fugazzi slated to join him.
In the mayoral race, Blankley ran on her accomplishments and experience as a mayor and former councilmember, while landscape contractor Bozzo leveled critiques at the current city government, arguing for more collaboration between the city and the populace to unlock the city’s “full potential.”
Despite trailing slightly, Bozzo remained hopeful. “I’m still in the race,” he said on Wednesday morning, arguing that he felt “great” about his campaign and that there were still lots of votes to be counted. “I said all along this would be a really close race … I think I have as good of a chance as she (Blankley) does.”
Six candidates are running for three seats in the Gilroy City Council, from top left, Kelly Ramirez, Fred Tovar, Rebeca Armendariz, Zach Hilton, Terence Fugazzi, and Stefanie Elle. (Courtesy Photos)
With half of Gilroy’s city council seats up for reelection, three incumbents aimed to hold on to their seats against three newcomers in an open election. Remaining ballots are still being tabulated.
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Both of the self-identified progressive Councilmembers Rebeca Armendariz and Hilton sought reelection, along with Fred Tovar, who has often been a swing vote in the council chambers. However, newcomers Stefanie Elle, Fugazzi, and Ramirez hoped to offer a new perspective to the council and work more collaboratively with the mayor and current council.
Wednesday’s results showed Hilton with a safe lead followed by retired English teacher Ramirez and fiscal conservative Fugazzi to fill the three open council seats. If the results stand, Hilton will remain as the only incumbent councilmember who held onto his seat this election. Falling short so far were Tovar, who had previously held his seat for eight years, newcomer Elle, who called for data-driven policy, and incumbent Armendariz, who positioned herself as a champion for the working class.
The new council and mayor must tackle a slew of troubles for the city, which faces the largest per-capita homeless population in the county, a stark shortage of firefighters and police officers, and ongoing questions on how to balance growth and draw in business.