Challengers leading in 3 of 4 council races, early results show

One incumbent and three newcomers are leading in the races for four San Bernardino City Council seats, according to early unofficial election results.

In San Bernardino, voters are choosing representatives in the city’s 3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th wards.

Candidates can win outright with 50% of the vote plus one vote. Otherwise, the top two finishers will meet again in the November general election.

3rd Ward

In the 3rd Ward, Juan Figueroa, a first-term councilmember, is leading with 60.25% of the vote, according to results released at 10 p.m. by the San Bernardino County registrar’s office. Christian T. Shaughnessy, a housing community organizer, was in second place with 39.64% of the vote.

5th Ward

With 33.95% of the vote, Kim Knaus, a nonprofit director and businesswoman, was leading the field of five candidates in the 5th Ward, early unofficial results showed.

“I am truly humbled by the support my campaign has received thus far,” Knaus said Wednesday. “I am optimistic about San Bernardino’s future. As a longtime resident, I am vested in San Bernardino and committed to helping address the city’s most challenging issues.”

If elected, Knaus said, she is committed to continuing to work collaboratively with the community, businesses and all stakeholders to improve the city.

Henry Nickel was second in the race with 27.36% of the vote, followed by Councilmember Ben Reynoso with 20.18%, Chas Kelley with 14.3%, and Rose Ward with 4.09%, the registrar reported.

“Though we were significantly outspent almost 10 to 1, the voters spoke clearly,” Nickel said on Wednesday. “I self-funded this grassroots campaign against very well-funded establishment opposition. Coming from behind, we received the most election day votes.”

Nickel added that he wanted trusted representatives elected to focus on helping homeowners and residents.

Reynoso faced two former councilmembers in the race — Nickel, who lost the seat in 2020, and Kelley who resigned from office after he pleaded guilty to felony perjury charges in 2013. Kelley’s conviction was stricken in November 2020, and his sentence vacated, according to San Bernardino Super Court records.

Mario Flores was leading the field of three candidates in the race for the 6th Ward seat, early unofficial election results showed.

“It’s a moment of excitement for San Bernardino, and I can’t wait to dive into the work ahead,” Flores said Wednesday.

Flores had 53.74% of the vote, followed by Bessine Littlefield Richard with 34.70% and Councilmember Kimberly Calvin with 9.23%, according to the registrar.

“I would like to acknowledge Councilmember Kimberly Calvin and Bessine Richard for running outstanding campaigns,” Flores said. “I am looking forward to collaborating closely with them to enhance the 6th Ward and address our community’s needs collectively.”

Calvin ran as a write-in candidate after failing to qualify for the ballot days after the council released a report alleging she violated the city’s rules of conduct. Calvin faced former rival Richard, the councilmember she beat in the 2020 election, and San Bernardino resident Flores.

7th Ward

In the 7th Ward, Treasure Ortiz was leading with 37.96% of the early vote, according to the registrar.

“I am very pleased with the results in the 7th Ward,” Ortiz said Wednesday. “It shows that our residents really want change and a candidate with tangible plans to address our top priorities of public safety, homelessness, street paving and economic development.”

She said she’s excited to carry on to victory in November.

“Moving forward we have to remain vigilant about what is happening at City Hall and we have to stay on top of the city’s most pressing issues,” Ortiz added.

James Penman was second in the race with 33.40% of the vote, followed by Councilmember Damon Alexander with 28.43%, the registrar reported.

“The council needs to clean up our city, implement an effective policy to get the unhoused into safe facilities with mental health and anti-addiction counseling, get them off our streets, and support our Police Department and our new police chief,” Penman said Wednesday.

Alexander is vying for a second term against Penman, who served 26 years as San Bernardino’s city attorney before being recalled in 2013, and Ortiz, a government watchdog who’s previously run for office.