Gonzales City Council features five candidates across three districts ahead of the November election.

Gonzales residents will have a few decisions to make when it comes to city council in November, as there are a total of five candidates running across three districts, District 1, 2 and 3.

Maria Orozco, who is seeking reelection for District 1 councilmember, served on the council for many years, first as a councilmember then mayor for 12 years from December 2008-January 2021. She was elected back onto the Gonzales City Council for District 1 for a four-year term spanning 2022-2026.

“Over the years I have been involved in many of the projects that we have now seen developed,” Orozco says. “I’m proud of my efforts to bring public transportation (MST) services to Gonzales many years ago and to see how much service has expanded to our South County cities. I’m also proud of our Gonzales Youth Commissioners and seen throughout the years the work they have done to improve our community and our schools.”

Orozco is running against Delia Gutierrez, a retired employee who served 28 years with the Monterey County Department of Child Support Services.

Gutierrez was appointed by the Gonzales City Council to the planning commission in April 2025, filling a vacant seat after the previous commissioner moved out of the city.

Gutierrez did not respond to Salinas Valley Now for comment, but Orozco says she has met with Gutierrez to discuss housing projects and other city issues.

“In regards to Delia Gutierrez, I served with her on the city council many years ago. I believe she only served one term. I wish her well,” Orozco says.

Orozco serves as a board member representing South County on the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey. She also serves as a board member on the Catholic Charities Board, is president of the Gonzales Rotary Club, and is a member of St. Theodore Catholic Church.

Connie Arellano is running against Henry Martinez Sr. for a partial two-year term for District 4.

“I decided to run for the Gonzales City Council because as a lifelong resident who has raised my children, and who has family and lifelong friends in this community, I am confident that I can bring positive results and make a real difference for our citizens,” Arellano says.

Arellano is a former 911 dispatcher who worked for the County of Monterey for the last 27 years.

“I have spent my career listening under pressure, coordinating critical resources, and putting resident safety above everything else,” Arellano says. “I am ready to bring this dedication to the Gonzales City Council as the District 4 Councilwoman.”

Arellano has supported the youth and senior programs on the Recreation Commission and is part of the local American Legion Auxiliary.

Martinez is running because he claims there are lack of patrols and lack of services in District 4.

“I live on 10 Street and we rarely see a cop drive by our area, and that's the complaint that my constituents that live over here are saying,” Martinez says. “And then we have our police chief who refuses to patrol the streets and refuses to talk to you if you have a complaint.”

Martinez no longer works, but was a former flower deliverer and gardener.

Adrian Paco, a business development director, is running unopposed for District 3, and did not respond for comment to Salinas Valley Now.