South Gate swears in re‑elected councilmembers; Council selects Maria Davila as mayor, Joshua Baron as vice mayor

The City of South Gate formally administered oaths of office and reorganized leadership at its Dec. 10 meeting.

The city clerk read the certified election results for the Nov. 5, 2024 general municipal election, reporting a total of 25,198 ballots cast. The clerk read vote totals for top winners as announced in the official canvas and directed residents to the full report available on the city website; the clerk read Maria Davila with 11,670 votes and Maria del Pilar Avalos with 10,765 votes (the clerk also read the third top candidate’s tally as in the certified statement).

Following the oath of office for re‑elected members, the council moved to the annual reorganization. Councilmember [mover recorded in the minutes] nominated Councilmember Maria Davila to serve as mayor; the nomination was seconded and approved on roll call. “This victory is not just mine. It is ours,” Davila told the council and audience as she accepted the office and thanked family, staff and community supporters.

Council then nominated Joshua Baron as vice mayor. Baron was sworn in and thanked his family for their support.

Public comment during the meeting included dozens of congratulatory remarks from residents and visiting officials, plus a few commenters who raised concerns about recent administrative actions — including questions about a recent staff change in the community development department and concerns about permitting alcohol at parks. Staff said they would follow up on specific enforcement and process questions raised during public comment.

The council’s leadership vote was taken by roll call and recorded in the meeting minutes.