Update: Amaral retains slim lead for Oakdale council, but race is too close to call
Bob Amaral maintained a slim lead Wednesday for a vacant seat on the Oakdale City Council.
The retired correctional officer had 396 votes, or 25.7%, in the latest tally from the Stanislaus County election office. Kevin Davis was second with 373 votes, or 24.2%, despite not actively campaigning after qualifying for the ballot.
The race remains too close to call given that the county is still counting mail ballots received after Monday, as well as provisional ballots whose validity must be confirmed.
Kayleigh Gilbert received 304 votes, or 19.7%. Jennifer Harris was at 285 votes, or 18.5%. Anthony Pratt had 183 votes, or 11.9%.
The winner will serve through 2024 in the seat vacated by Ericka Chiara in December. Oakdale does not have council districts, so any registered voter could run and vote.
The election was low-key, and only Gilbert, Harris and Pratt took part in the sole candidate forum. They urged compassion for homeless people and promotion of Oakdale’s family-friendly image. They also asked residents to patronize the Third Avenue businesses restricted by a four-month streetscape renovation.
Oakdale had to hold a special election because of a state law barring a city council from having a majority of appointed rather than elected officials. Mayor Cherilyn Bairos and Councilman Curtis Haney both were appointed to their posts. Councilmen Christoper Smith and Fred Smith were elected.
Bairos, Haney and Christopher Smith are up for election in November.
