Update: Sue Zwahlen set to be Modesto’s next mayor as opponent Doug Ridenour concedes
Former city schools board member Sue Zwahlen is poised to become Modesto’s next mayor.
She had a commanding lead Tuesday over former City Councilman Doug Ridenour in the runoff election for mayor. The Stanislaus County election office reported Zwahlen had 17,252 votes, or 58.3 percent, while Ridenour had 12,325 votes, or 41.7 percent.
Ridenour said he called Zwahlen and conceded. “It’s pretty clear,” he said. “It’s too big of a number to make up. ... I want to thank my supporters, my family and of course my wife. ... But the voters have spoken and a majority of them have chosen Sue as our next mayor. It’s now time to rally around Sue.”
Zwahlen was not quite ready to declare victory.
“I have no idea how many outstanding ballots there are,” she said. “And when (the election) is certified I’ll know it’s completely done. But I feel very optimistic at this point.
“... We really focused on the issues. I have strong supporters, people who have lived in this community a long time and know how hard I’ve worked on the school board and in the community.”
The election office is expected to release its first update Thursday. Like previous ones, the runoff was conducted by mail, with the office mailing voters ballots Jan. 4.
Tuesday’s results are for ballots the office received through Monday. Thursday’s update will be for ballots received Tuesday and Wednesday. The office will count ballots it receives in the mail as late as Friday provided they have a Tuesday postmark.
Turnout stood at 25.8 percent as of Tuesday night, which is in line with previous mayoral runoff elections. For instance, the final turnout for Modesto’s last mayoral runoff election in February 2016 was 29 percent.
Zwahlen and Ridenour were among the eight mayoral candidates in the Nov. 3 election. Zwahlen finished first with 23.8 percent of the vote, and Ridenour was second with 19.4 percent. The election went to a runoff because no candidate received a majority of the vote.
Zwahlen could take office Feb. 23
Mayor Ted Brandvold was among the eight candidates as he sought a second term. But he finished fifth in the election. The new mayor could take office at the City Council’s Feb. 23 meeting, which is the first scheduled council meeting after the election office is expected to certify the runoff’s results, according to the city clerk’s office.
Zwahlen, 66, served on the Modesto City Schools board from 2009 to 2017 and is a retired emergency room nurse. She was a latecomer to the mayor’s race, entering it in July.
She is set to become Modesto’s third female mayor since the city charter took effect in 1911, according to Bee archives. Peggy Mensinger served as mayor from 1979 to 1987, and Carol Whiteside served from 1987 to 1991.
Zwahlen ran to restore civility and decorum to the City Council and restore the public’s trust in City Hall. Under Brandvold’s tenure, the seven-member council was fractured, with bickering, distrust and infighting among its members.
But three newcomers were elected to the City Council in November, and with Zwahlen as mayor, a majority of the council will be new, giving it a chance for a fresh start.
Zwahlen also ran because of the new coronavirus pandemic.
She has said the city’s elected officials have been silent or failed to provide a clear, consistent message on the need for everyone to wear a mask, keep at least six feet away from people who are not part of their household, and wash their hands.
Treat pandemic as public health crisis
She has said the city has not focused enough on treating the pandemic as the public health crisis that it is, including enforcing the restrictions on businesses while providing them with as much support as they need to succeed.
She has said treating the pandemic as a public health crisis is the fastest way to get it under control and have the economy reopen as well as gain the trust of residents that it is safe to do so.
Ridenour, 69, is a retired Modesto police sergeant and in November finished his first term on the City Council. He ran for mayor rather than seek re-election.
He campaigned on his long service to the city as a police officer and elected official, which he has said gave him an in-depth understanding of the city and its challenges. He also campaigned on strengthening the city’s ties with the county and its other partners and that he would be a consensus builder.
He also is a brother of former Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour.
Zwahlen and Ridenour raised more than $290,000 combined in their campaigns for mayor.
This story was originally published February 2, 2021 at 8:37 PM.
