Election: Candidates for council, school board announce intentions to run

So far, one running for mayor, five for city council, and two for school board

By Staff Report

Candidates for open seats on the Gilroy City Council and the Gilroy Unified School District are stepping into the campaign ring to run in the November general election.

Aug. 7 is the last day for candidates to file with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. As of July 31, here are the men and women who have publicly announced they intend to run for office.

The city council candidates are Rebeca Armendariz, Zachary Hilton, Carol Marques (incumbent), Danny Mitchell, and Fred Tovar (incumbent). Cat Tucker, currently a city council member, said she would not seek another term

The school board candidates are BC Doyle and Mark Good (both incumbents). Trustee James Pace said he would not seek another term. There are four seats open, including an empty seat after Anisha Munshi resigned from the board in June.

Marie Blankley is the only person who has publicly announced a run for the office of Gilroy mayor. (Mayor Roland Velasco announced earlier this year he would not seek re-election.)

• Blankley, a lifelong resident and currently a city councilmember, has experience running her own business as a certified public accountant for 32 years.

“I’m the right person to lead Gilroy out of this crisis and back to prosperity,” she said in her statement to Gilroy Life. “As mayor, I’ll return financial stability to Gilroy, ensure city services we all count on and deserve, and promote an aggressive plan to generate new revenue and jobs . . . As mayor, I hope to improve communication between city hall and the community so that the issues we face are handled with transparency and fairness to all.”

• Armendariz said she is running for city council because “the voice of the working people has long been neglected and compels an advocate.”

She cited the city’s shortage of affordable housing that has forced many residents to move away from Gilroy.

“If elected, my work would involve providing the working class of Gilroy homes, that they may continue to provide the valuable and necessary labor that makes #GilroyStrong,” she said.

• Hilton is a 20-year firefighter/paramedic with the city of Oakland and serves now as the chair of the Gilroy Bicycle Pedestrian Commission.

“During my four-year tenure serving the city of Gilroy, I have seen many missed opportunities for the growth of our town; opportunities that have impacted our way of life and caused financial hardship,” he said about why he is running. “In order to reestablish the prosperity of our beautiful and proud town, I will bring the following leadership qualities when elected. I will be a good listener; I will empower my constituents; I will advocate for working families; and I will show confidence in my governing.”

• Marques is a native Gilroyan who worked for 39 years as an educator in the Gilroy Unified School District. Her two priorities are ensuring a healthy local economy and improving the safety and quality of life for residents.

Her statement said she plans to build the local economy by: “Encouraging a variety of businesses city-wide with a focus on downtown revitalization; making sure that opening a business is an easy process; and supporting tourism with projects that enhance Gilroy and are not a financial burden to taxpayers.”

• Mitchell is a retired businessman who has lived in Gilroy for 60 years. He has served in various volunteer positions including with the Chamber of Commerce, the Gilroy Elks Lodge, the Gilroy Planning Advisory Committee, South Valley Community Church, and the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

“I’ve served in a variety of leadership positions with many community organizations,” he said in his statement. “From the age of 18 my career was been dedicated to leadership and management positions giving me experience to work with all personalities. I’m a team player with an open mind and a willingness to listen.”

• Tovar has spent his entire career in higher education, most recently as the director of student affairs and assistant director of admissions at Stanford University School of Medicine.

“I love this city, the people, and I want to continue to make Gilroy the best place to live for all residents,” he said in his statement. “I’ve been a leader in preparing Gilroy for exciting things to come in the areas of economic development, revitalizing downtown, transportation, public safety, quality of life, and responsible budgeting and finance.”

• Doyle is a 30-year employee of the GUSD and is seeking re-election for trustee Area 6.

“The process of educating students today is quite different from the past, with the challenge of distant learning we must make every effort to reach every child and see that they have every tool available to excel,” he stated. “Looking ahead, I am proud of the projects we have started: the completion of Brownell Middle School will be ready for students when they are able to return; the modernization of South Valley Middle School will be put in motion this coming year.”

• Good is serving his fourth term as a trustee and is now the board president. He is in Trustee Area 2. His background is in law, both as a retired police officer and a practicing attorney.

“The district faces unprecedented challenges in terms of continuing to provide an excellent education for our students while keeping both our student population and staff safe amid the COVID-19 crisis,” he stated. “My main priorities are to provide excellent educational opportunities for all students, to ensure the safety of students and staff, and to maintain good fiscal practices.