New District 2 council member and Measure U ahead in Soledad.

There was only one contested City Council race for the City of Soledad for District 2 on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The choice in District 2 was between retired veteran Eugene Ivey or challenger Don J. Bolin. While the Mayoral seat and District 1 seat was unopposed, appointing Fernando Cabrera (current District 1 councilmember) as Mayor and Fernando Ansaldo-Sánchez (current Mayor pro-tem) as District 1 councilmember in December.

Ivey leads the race for City Council District 2 with 498 votes, compared with Bolin, who received 214 votes, as of 1:46 pm on Thursday, Nov. 5.

“The community showed out and I am very humble,” Ivey says. “I didn't think I was going to get that high of a number. I'm really happy.”

Cabrera has known Ivey for a couple of years and says, “Ivey is a good person. He's understanding, and he wants to participate in developing good things for our city, so I think he’s going to be okay.”

Measure U, which would provide additional funding for the Soledad-Mission Recreation District, is also leading. The measure received 1,477 votes in favor, while 1,110 voters voted against it, also as of 1:46 pm on Thursday, Nov. 5.

If approved, Measure U would establish a special tax of 3.5 cents per building square foot, generating approximately $292,000 annually for recreation programs and facilities.

The funding would help maintain affordable recreation opportunities, swimming programs, youth sports, toddler programs and accessibility improvements for people with disabilities.

“My first priority is to get together with the city council and our new mayor, and sit down and have discussion on the ongoing budget that we need to be working on for the fiscal year," Ivey says.

Election results remain unofficial as Monterey County officials continue counting ballots.

Residents can follow updated results through the Monterey County Elections Office.