Recall Petition Against Castañeda Approved; Potential for Two Recall Elections Next Year

Two Salinas politicians are at risk of being recalled next year, the latest development in a ongoing feud between city leaders.

This morning Salinas' City Clerk’s Office approved a petition for recall against Councilman Jose Castañeda. In May, the city approved a separate petition to recall Mayor Joe Gunter, who the councilman has been feuding with for months.

The petition against Castañeda, filed by East Salinas man Juan Sandoval, has been two months in the making because his previous attempts were rejected for failing to follow proper procedure.  

But in a letter sent today, City Clerk Patricia Barajas informed Sandoval that the petition for recall had been approved and that the petitioner has 90 days to collect the 1,449 registered voter signatures needed for a special election in the district.

The petition against Gunter, which was filed by Castañeda supporters, needs 7,601 signatures turned into the city by Oct. 21.

If the recall petitions succeed, there could potentially be two standalone elections next year, Barajas says. An election for mayor would cost the city about $500,000, and an election for the councilman could cost another $100,000. 

The mayoral recall election could take place around March, and the council election around May, Barajas says.

“It’s going to be costly,” Barajas says. “It’s not something cities traditionally budget for.”

Gunter and Castañeda have been at odds over the councilman's decision not to relinquish his seat on the Alisal Union School District, a move the city says is illegal. Castañeda has blamed the mayor and other council members for the "politically motivated" lawsuit he faces from the city.