Election fields shaping up in Stanislaus cities' races

MODESTO -- Voters in Riverbank and Oakdale will have plenty of choices when they cast their ballots in the city elections in November.

In Riverbank, embattled one-term Councilman Jesse James White is not running for re-election. Asked Friday about his decision, he declined to comment. Because he's not running, the filing period for his seat is extended to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Riverbank Councilman Richard O'Brien is challenging Mayor Virginia Madueño for her seat, and Councilwoman Jeanine Tucker, who was appointed to fill a council vacancy, is running for election.

Other candidates for the two open council seats are Cal Campbell, a retired teacher; Leanne Jones Cruz, a high school teacher; Anthony McKinney, a Realtor; Darlene Barber-Martinez, a business owner; Jessica Molina, an after-school assistant; and Kathy Salvatore, a communications consultant.

Since his election in November 2008, White, 23, has been arrested twice in incidents involving drugs or alcohol and has survived two recall attempts and a grand jury report that called for his ouster. In February, the council abandoned an effort to remove White after spending more than $53,000 on legal costs.

Four miles away, in Oakdale, eight people have tossed their hats in the ring for three open council seats.

Council members Tom Dunlop and Kathy Morgan will face challengers Ramona Howard, Oliver "J.R." McCarty and Donald M. Petersen for two four-year council terms. Cherilyn Bairos, former Mayor Farrell Jackson and former city Treasurer Mike Murray are running to fill the remaining two years of former Councilman Jason Howard's term. Howard resigned in April when he moved to Grass Valley.

In Patterson, the ballot is set for the Nov. 6 vote. Mayor Luis Molina is opposed by Troy McComak, who filed his papers Thursday. Six people are seeking two open council seats, including incumbents Dominic Farinha and Annette Smith and challengers Antonio "Tony" Camacho, Dennis McCord, Sheree Lustgarten and Carlos Gustavo Fierros.

Seven council races

Seven of the nine cities in Stanislaus County have council elections in the fall. The filing period for those and other local races closed Friday, unless the incumbent did not file for re-election. The period is extended until Wednesday in races in which the incumbent does not run.

In addition to White's council seat in Riverbank, the filing deadline also has been extended for the full-term Zone 1 seat in the Westside Community Healthcare District in Newman.

Candidates interested in filing for the Westside race can obtain and file nomination papers at the Stanislaus County registrar of voters office, 1021 I St. in Modesto. Minimum qualifications include Stanislaus County voter registration and residency in the district zone.

Also in the running …

Here are the filings in other races:

• TURLOCK: Council (two seats) — Incumbents Mary Jackson and Amy Bublak will face challengers Steven Nascimento and Sergio Alvarado.

• HUGHSON: Mayor — City Councilman Matt Beekman has filed papers; incumbent Ramon Bawanan is not seeking re-election.

Council (two seats) — Incumbents Jeramy Young and Jill Ferreira Silva face challenger Billy Gonzales.

• WATERFORD: Mayor — Incumbent Charlie Goeken is unopposed.

Council (two seats) — Incumbents Jose Aldaco and Michael Van Winkle are opposed by challenger Aaron Norseen.

• NEWMAN: Mayor — Incumbent Ed Katen is unopposed.

Council (two seats) — Incumbents Roberta Davis and Bob Martina are unopposed.

• YOSEMITE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT: Trustees (four seats) — Incumbents Abe Rojas, Mike Riley, Linda Flores and Tom Hallinan are unopposed.

• OAK VALLEY HOSPITAL DISTRICT: Governing board members Jim Teter and Louise Pooley Sanders will run unopposed in November.

Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at kvaline@modbee.com or (209) 578-2316.

Bee staff writer Ken Carlson can be reached at kcarlson@modbee.com or (209) 578-2321.