The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Sandoval leading early for Pomona mayor post
2 council incumbents trailing their challengers, after first results released
In the four-way race for Pomona mayor, Tim Sandoval leads in early returns with 52.11% of the vote, according to unofficials results from the Los Angeles County registrar.
Pomona voters went to the polls Tuesday to choose a mayor and three City Council members.
With 14 candidates total for the offices of mayor and council Districts 1, 4 and 6, voters could pick from incumbents, experienced candidates and newcomers.
A candidate can avoid a runoff election by winning 50% of the vote plus one vote, according to the Pomona city clerk’s office. Otherwise, the top two finishers head to the November ballot. Winners in either the primary or general election will be sworn into office in December.
Also Tuesday, voters weighed two tax measures that could impact funding for various city programs.
Measure P was passing with 59.56% of the vote, and the competing Measure X was passing with 56.08% of the vote, according to the registrar.
The measure with the most votes will prevail, according to the Pomona city clerk’s office.
Mayor
In the mayoral race, Sandoval was challenged by current Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez and two newcomers, Veronica Cabrera and Gustavo Ramirez.
Following Sandoval’s lead in the race, Rodriguez was second with 28.29%, followed by Veronica Cabrera with 12.06% and Gustavo Ramirez with 7.54%, early results released at 2 a.m. Wednesday showed.
“I’m happy with the early numbers,” Sandoval said in an interview Tuesday evening, “but there’s still a long way to go and we’re just gonna keep track and then see how things go.”
Sandoval said he was “really thankful for all the people who went out and voted.”
District 1
With 42.47% of the early vote, challenger Debra Martin was leading the race for the District 1 council seat, early results showed.
Incumbent John Nolte faced three challengers: Luis Cano, John Mendoza and Martin, all seeking to make changes, such as tackling employment challenges in the city. The district also includes a large section of Holt Avenue and the historical neighborhood of Wilton Heights, where homeowners say they’ve experienced an increase in crime.
Nolte was second with 32.83% of the early vote, according to the registrar, followed by Mendoza with 15.38% and Luis with 9.32%.
“As the incumbent, I’m heartened by the support we’ve garnered in the early results. Throughout the campaign, I had the privilege of connecting with residents in both the established and newly added parts of District 1,” Nolte said in a statement. “Each neighborhood has its unique concerns, and I’m committed to addressing them collaboratively.”
District 4
Challenger Guillermo Gonzalez had an 11-vote lead over District 4 incumbent Elizabeth Ontiveroscole, according to unofficial election results posted early Wednesday.
Gonzalez leads with 36.78% of the vote, followed by Ontiveros-cole with 36.04% and Chara Swodeck with 27.18%.
“Last night’s results demonstrate a desire for change. They vindicate our campaign’s message of hope and our vision for a revitalized Pomona,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “I feel confident our message will continue to resonate with voters.”
District 4 includes another large section of Holt Avenue. The embattled American Legion, repeatedly hit by vandals, is located in the district.
District 6
With no incumbent in the race for District 6, Lorraine Canales led early with 38.6% of the vote, Glenda Barillas had 31.24% and Miranda Sheffield held 30.17%, according to the registrar.
Incumbent Robert Torres opted against seeking another term to instead run for a seat in the state Assembly.
His 2020 challenger, Miranda Sheffield, and two newcomers, Glenda Barillas and Lorraine Canales, faced off to fill the north Pomona district seat.
The L.A. County registrar will continue to release election results through March 26. Certified election results are tentatively expected by March 29.