Reprint from the Progress Times - May 16, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

Incumbents stand firm in area elections

 

 

In a literal vote of confidence, Mission voters decided to stick with their city council as both incumbents kept their seats in the city council election Saturday, May 10.

Ruben Plata once again defeated Armando O’Cana just as he did in the October special election and Mayor Pro-Tem Leo Olivarez fought off Ruben Sanchez to retain his seat at the council table.

Plata received 1,077 votes to O’Cana’s 837. Olivarez’ margin of victory was even greater as he received 2,060 to Ruben Sanchez’ 1,541.

The voters also approved of a proposition to change the terms of office for city council members from three to four years. The change will affect those elected to Mission council places on May 10 and thereafter.

City of La Joya

In much the same way voters in La Joya also strengthened the incumbent’s power as Roberto Jackson, Mary Salinas and Isidro Casanova all held onto their positions defeating Mayor Billy Leo’s slate of challengers that included Tillie Salinas, Maria Elva Peralez and Minnie Gutierrez-Longoria.

City of Peñitas

The City of Peñitas held two of the more closely contested races in the area as Mayor Marcos Ochoa and challenger Antonio "Tony" Flores, who pulled in 371 and 323 votes respectively, are now slated for a runoff since neither received more than 50 percent of the total vote. Incumbent city councilman Jose Gonzalez is also facing a runoff with Catarino "Cat" Ozuna. Both candidates received 371 votes.