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Montebello voters cast their ballots in three City Council races, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and by Wednesday results appeared to show a council member headed for removal from office and two incumbents set to remain in office.
See the latest election results.
District 5 Councilmember Angie Jimenez faced the only recall in Los Angeles County on Election Day.
To recall Jimenez would require a simple majority of the vote.
From the first early returns on election night yes on the recall appeared to be leading and continued to do so with each subsequent update from the Los Angeles County Registrar’s Office.
According to the semi-official results posted around 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, yes on the recall had about 63% of the counted votes.
In a 4:30 p.m. update on Wednesday that margin appeared to hold with yes on the recall leading by about 540 votes.
“This recall wasn’t about the best interests of our community; it was a politically motivated attack designed to remove me for always standing up for integrity and transparency,” Jimenez said in a statement. “I believe in making decisions that are in the best interest of our community, even when that means standing against powerful interests. I hope our community sees this recall for what it truly is.”
A group of residents with backing from a local developer and out of town interests pushed to have the recall placed on the ballot.
Jimenez and her supporters say the recall has been done out of retaliation for her standing up to developers and that this is an effort to silence her.
Recall organizers say Jimenez has been absent from City Council meetings, voted against reinstating the Traffic and Safety Commission and created a hostile work environment at city hall.
District 2 incumbent Scarlet Peralta faced the challenge of former Montebello Councilmember Jack Hadjinian.
Peralta appeared to hold a strong lead over Hadjinian. As of 3:45 a.m., Peralta had about 72% of the counted votes.
In the 4:30 p.m. update, Peralta held about 71% of the counted votes and led by more than 1,000 votes.
Peralta said in a statement that she was humbled by the support from District 2 residents.
“This strong backing reflects our shared priorities — safer neighborhoods, more green spaces, and economic growth that benefits everyone,” Peralta said in a statement. “Our work is only just beginning, and I’m excited to continue collaborating with everyone in Montebello to bring our shared vision to life.”
Peralta’s priorities included strengthening public safety and economic development. Hadjinian also highlighted public safety as well as city infrastructure maintenance as his top priorities.
Hadjinian said the city still has work to do in responding to the 2018 state audit. This would include implementing stronger financial controls, ensuring greater oversight and maintaining transparency in all city operations.
Peralta said the city has surpassed the financial challenges of the past. While there is still more to do, Peralta said financial stability and revenue have been increased, oversight and internal controls have been strengthened and internal policies have been updated to ensure compliance.
In District 4, Joella Valdez was on the ballot against incumbent David Torres.
Torres appeared to have a lead on Valdez in early returns.
As of 3:45 a.m., Torres had about 54% of the counted votes and led Valdez by about nine percentage points.
In the 4:30 p.m. update, Torres appeared to continue leading by nine percentage points, approximately 200 votes.
Valdez, a Montebello planning commissioner, said her top priorities would be fair public safety resources and clean and safe streets.
Torres’ priorities included public safety and infrastructure. He said Montebello is seeing a “new and incredible wave of economic activity.” Torres highlighted the addition of TopGolf and the future addition of a Tesla dealership.
Valdez said that not enough has been done by the city to attract new businesses and that District 4 has several empty storefronts and abandoned lots. Part of her solution would be to streamline the permitting and licensing process and cleaning up neglected spaces.
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