Election results hint at possible change
Rhonda Spencer-hwang, Ovidiu Popescu and Rhodes “Dusty” Rigsby are leading in the races for three Loma Linda City Council seats, early election results from the San Bernardino County registrar’s office show.
“I’m really excited about the results,” Spencerhwang said Wednesday. “I’ll be the first female in 20 years to serve on Loma Linda City Council.”
Tuesday’s election is the first since the city drew maps for new council districts.
In the District 1 race, Councilmember Bhavin
Jindal faced former Councilmember Popescu, who lost his seat in 2020 after placing fifth in an election that sent only the top three finishers to the dais.
“As with all elections, this one was a great experience connecting with my neighbors, sharing frustrations and areas of opportunities we have within our community,” Jindal said Wednesday. “There are serious concerns that residents have with their future ranging from cost-ofliving to safety.”
Popescu said Wednesday that he is “humbled and honored with the results so far.”
He will continue monitoring results and will “look forward to hopefully serving the community once again.”
According to the latest results released at 2 a.m. Wednesday, Popescu leads the District 1 race with 54.51% of the vote, followed by Jindal with 45.49%.
Councilmember John Lenart, who has been on the council since 2012, faced his first direct competitor in the race for the District 4 seat. His challenger was Spencer-hwang, a professor and author.
Early results show Spencer-hwang leads the District
4 race with 63.96% of the vote, followed by Lenart with 35.08%.
“During my campaign I sent out a two-page survey to find out what the community would like to see and I’m already getting great feedback and looking forward to implementing what residents would like to have happen,” Spencer-hwang said. “I’m also turning my attention to apply for a major grant to help the fire department.”
Loma Linda’s longestserving councilmember, Rigsby, was elected in 2006 and faced newcomer Juan Carlos Belliard, a professor and university administrator, for the District 5 seat.
Rigsby leads the District 5 race with 62.50% of the vote, followed by Belliard with 37.50%, according to early unofficial election results.
In October 2022, the City Council approved new district maps after agreeing to end at-large elections. Districts 2 and 3 will be up for election in 2026.
The San Bernardino County registrar is scheduled to have the official results by Thursday, April 4.
The new councilmembers will be sworn in at the Loma Linda City Council meeting on April 9, Loma Linda City Clerk Lynette Arreola said.