Candidate filing remains open for many local races in Stanislaus County
Candidate filing has closed for most local races in the Nov. 3 election in Stanislaus County, but some remain open because incumbents are not running.
The unsettled contests include city councils in Modesto, Turlock and a few other cities, plus some of the boards governing schools and other functions.
Under state law, the filing period ended Friday, Aug. 7, for posts where incumbents are seeking re-election. Filing remains open until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, for other races.
Candidates can file for most races through the county election office. The exceptions are mayor and city council races, handled by each city clerk.
The November ballot also will feature races where candidates were chosen in the March primary. They include county supervisor, judge and state and federal lawmakers. The presidency also is at stake, along with state and local ballot measures.
The status of the still-open races, according to county and city websites:
Modesto: District 1 on the council remains open because Mani Grewal did not seek re-election. The candidates so far are Jennifer Hidalgo, John Gunderson, Amin Vohra and Rosa Escutia-Braaton.
District 3 is still open because incumbent Kristi Ah You joined the mayor’s race, which closed Friday. The council candidates to date are Chris Ricci, Janice Keating and Jim Applegate.
District 6 remains open because incumbent Doug Ridenour is running for mayor. The candidates so far are David Wright and Hunter Sauls.
Turlock: Appointed incumbent Becky Arellano did not file in District 4. The only candidate so far is Pam Franco. Filing has closed in District 2, where incumbent Gil Esquer faces Rebecka Monez and Ruben Wegner.
Ceres: Mayor Chris Vierra is not seeking another term. The candidates to succeed him so far are Councilman Bret Durossette and Javier Lopez. In council District 3, which Durossette is vacating, the candidates so far are Bret Silveira, Juan Vazquez and Mohinder Singh Kanda. Filing has closed in District 4, where incumbent Mike Kline is challenged by Couper Condit, Eric Angel Gonzalez and Daniel Martinez.
Oakdale: City Council incumbent Ericka Chiara filed for re-election, but incumbent Richard Murdoch did not. The other candidates so far are Marco Camacho, Fred Smith and Cecilia Suarez.
Waterford: Mayor Michael Van Winkle is not seeking re-election. Councilman Jose Aldaco is the only candidate for mayor so far. Jamie Hilton and Jill Kitchens are running for the two council seats. Council incumbent Thomas Powell has not filed.
Patterson: Mayor Deborah Novelli is not seeking re-election. The candidates to succeed her so far are City Councilman Dennis McCord, former mayor David Keller and Mark Miles. In council District A, incumbent Joshua Naranjo has not filed. Shivaugn Alves and Shawun Ruth Anderson are running for this seat. Councilman Dominic Farinha is unopposed for re-election in District C.
Newman: Mayor Robert Martina is not seeking re-election. The candidates to succeed him so far are E. Timothy Parker and Councilman Casey Graham. The race for two council seats includes incumbent Laroy McDonald, along with Walter Waite and John Pimentel. Incumbent Murray Day did not file.
School boards, other posts
Area 3 for the Yosemite Community College District is open because incumbent Abe Rojas did not file. Milton Richards is the only candidate so far.
Filing also remains open for a few school districts: Hughson Area 1, Knights Ferry (two at-large seats), Sylvan Area 4 and Patterson Areas 1, 5 and 7,
Oakdale Irrigation District Division 1 remains open because incumbent Gail Altieri did not file. The candidates so far are Ed Tobias and Donald “Duke” Cooper.
Candidate filing is still open in community services districts for Crows Landing, Denair, Grayson, Knights Ferry, Riverdale Park and Westley.
Filing also is open for municipal advisory councils in Denair, Empire, Hickman, Knights Ferry and Salida.
This story was originally published August 10, 2020 at 2:13 PM with the headline "Candidate filing remains open for many local races in Stanislaus County."
