Bublak stays, Nascimento new in Turlock

TURLOCK -- Voters voted for both stability and change as incumbent Amy Bublak and newcomer Steven Nascimento were elected to the City Council Tuesday night.

Incumbent Mary Jackson, who was elected to the council in 2008, and challenger Sergio Alvarado were defeated. The four candidates were vying for two seats.

With 100 percent of precincts in, Bublak had 7,622 votes, or 32.3 percent, and Nascimento 6,865 votes, or 29.1 percent. Jackson followed with 6,047 votes, or 25.6 percent, and Alvarado trailed with 2,971 votes, or 12.6 percent.

Bublak, 47, a Modesto police officer, has been on the council for four years.

"I am happy and I can't wait for four more years to make Turlock better," she said. "I don't know if I'll end up one or two, but I'll work with whoever wins to make Turlock better."

Bublak said her priority will be to create more activities for youth.

Bublak and Nascimento received a joint endorsement from the Turlock firefighters union late in the election cycle and were featured together on the group's election signs. But the candidates said they ran on their own and not as a ticket.

Nascimento, 26, was running in his first election, but isn't a newcomer to politics. He serves as the district director for state Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres.

Late Tuesday, he said he was "cautiously optimistic" about the early results. This is a big week for Nascimento, who with wife, Alexis, welcomed their first child, son Levi, last Tuesday.

"I'm exhausted, but proud to have contributed to a positive campaign season in Turlock," he said. "The council members are all reasonable people. We have serious issues to address, but we can address them when they come up together."

He said he hopes to focus on water funds, road repair and helping Turlock work with business.

Jackson, 44, a former journalist who consults for Emanuel Medical Center's staff newsletter, could not be reached.

Alvarado, 33, a postal clerk who just moved to Turlock four years ago, said he wasn't discouraged by the results and wished whoever came out on top well. He also vowed to continue to be a community activist.

"I'm also very happy that we all had a positive campaign and that is something I hope to see for a good long time here," he said.

Bee staff writer Marijke Rowland can be reached at mrowland@modbee.com or (209) 578-2284.