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Los Banos council certifies special election; Mitzi Perez sworn in amid public complaints about campaign conduct
Summary
The City Council accepted certification of the Aug. 26 special election for District 1, seating Mitzi Perez. During public comment, challenger Khalid Sanchez and other residents raised allegations about campaign materials and pressed the council on local issues such as hospital services and neighborhood outreach.
The Los Banos City Council on Oct. 1 adopted a resolution accepting the Merced County Registrar of Voters' certification of the Aug. 26 special municipal election for District 1, formally completing the canvass and seating Mitzi Perez as councilmember for District 1.
The resolution (No. 6987) was presented by city staff and approved by unanimous voice vote. After the vote the council administered the oath of office to Perez and conducted a new roll call, returning the council to full membership.
The certification formalized the county tally certified on Sept. 17 showing Mitzi Perez with 263 votes and Vary Sanchez with 222 votes. City staff told the council the action completes the election process for filling the District 1 vacancy.
Why it matters: seating the District 1 representative restores the council to a full membership after the special election and lets the new councilmember participate fully in city decision-making and votes.
Public forum highlights: multiple speakers used the meeting's public comment period to respond to the recent campaign. Khalid Sanchez, who ran against Perez, said campaign materials “were not only false, but defamatory” and called on Perez to respond. Sanchez said the statements harmed him, his family and his business and urged future campaigns to focus on “ideas and solutions rather than personal attacks.”
Carlos Flores, also a District 1 resident, told the council he believed that money and influence played a role in the election outcome and urged Perez to meet with District 1 residents and present plans for the district. Other public commenters raised unrelated local concerns, including the need for hospital neonatal services and incubators, road and park maintenance, and small-business supports.
Council action and procedure: the council's agenda packet identified the item as City Council Resolution No. 6987. A council member moved to accept the resolution as read by title; another seconded. The motion passed by voice vote with the mayor calling for the oath of office immediately after the certification vote.
Ending: The council moved on to other business after the oath and roll call. Several speakers said they would continue to press elected officials on campaign conduct and service delivery for District 1 residents.
