In the minutes before the first county election results come in at around 8:20pm on Tuesday, Nov. 8, the mood is buoyant in John Uy’s house.
Uy, who is running for Del Rey Oaks City Council, has spent the last several weekends knocking on doors and introducing himself. And he believes he left a good impression – he’s an affable man – and is confident about his chances.
About a dozen supporters, including Uy’s parents, snack on hors d’oeuvres – including a vegan pumpkin pizza Uy made – as the national anthem plays over speakers when Mayor Alison Kerr, who’s running for re-election against councilmember Scott Donaldson, walks through the door.
The mood is mixed when the first results come in: Uy holds a decisive lead in the council race with three candidates competing for two seats. Uy held 266 votes, while other candidates – Louise Goetzelt and Jeremy Hallock – were locked at 219 each. A later update put Hallock slightly ahead for second place with 236 votes.
Kerr appears disappointed, if not surprised, that she is trailing Donaldson 267 to 243. “It feels very reminiscent of the election in June,” she says, referring to Measure B, which could have killed the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway, and which was ultimately defeated by only 12 votes. “And I’m guessing we won’t know for a while.” (An update put Hallock seven votes ahead of Goetzelt for the second open council seat.)
Kerr’s partner, Gerry Orton, says, “She’s busted her gut for this community, and if they don’t want it… ” Then he just shrugs.
Uy is thrilled with his results but is still rooting hard for Kerr. He’s thankful the city’s voters put their trust in both an immigrant, and an openly gay candidate. “I’m thankful for their trust,” Uy says. “I don’t take that lightly.”
Donaldson, who wasn’t planning an election night event, did not respond to requests for comment. He is midway through a four-year term on City Council, and if sworn in as mayor, a replacement will fill out the remainder of his term.