CARSON, Calif. – The latest election updates show incumbents on the city council maintaining solid leads over their challengers and keeping the User Utility Tax (UUT) in place to maintain some city services.
Ballot Measure R asked residents to maintain the current 2% UUT to maintain emergency services, protect drinking water and perform street repairs.
Nearly 78% of the total votes cast were in favor of the measure receiving 10,997 votes, and 22% voted against it with 3,125 votes.
Treasurer Monica Cooper has a solid lead over Isaias Pulido receiving 77% of the vote accumulating 10.337 votes to Pulido’s 23% receiving 3,010 votes.
Jim Dear, who represents Council District 2 has claimed the lead receiving 71% of the vote with 2,142 ballots cast in his favor while his challengers Oscar Ramos received 18% of the vote receiving 562, and Richard Contreras received 9.8% with 293.
Dear has previously served as the City’s mayor and city clerk.
Arleen Rojas, who represents Council District 4 is also leading her challenger after receiving 64% of the vote which represents 1,888 votes cast for her, while her challenger Frederick Docdocil received 36% of the total votes cast with 1,071.
The most controversial race was for City Clerk where allegations of election fraud made its way to a local courtroom.
Sharma Henderson filed a complaint with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office that nomination papers were circulated by Treasurer Monica Cooper on behalf of Dr. Khaleah Bradshaw during the Chamber of Commerce’s Installation event.
“Whenever I pointed out an error during the nomination period, either Bradshaw or her staff indicated it was something they were told to do (or not to do) by the City’s election consultant,” said Henderson. “She was heavily dependant on that person’s expertise and instead of reading, interpreting, and learning the Elections Code for herself, she relies on the consultant and County’s election representative to provide all of the answers.”
Despite the legal challenges, Bradshaw remained the top vote getter with 54% of the vote with 7,163 and Vera Robles Dewitt received 23% of the vote representing 3.053 ballots. Henderson is in third place with 13% of the vote receiving 1,700.
The next two election updates will be provided by the County today and Monday between 4 and 5 p.m. Further updates will be announced every Tuesday and Friday until all ballots are tallied.
