Gonzales Council District 1: Maria Orozco Leads Delia Gutierrez by Just Five Votes

GONZALES, Monterey County — November 3, 2026. One of the closest contests in the first South Monterey County election-night results was the Gonzales City Council District 1 race. Maria Orozco had 99 votes (51.30%), and Delia Gutierrez had 94 (48.70%) in the report updated about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. A lead of just five votes can change when more ballots are counted.

Why five votes cannot settle a race

These preliminary figures describe a small initial count and are not a recount, final canvass or certification. Legal ballots requiring further verification may be added after Election Night. California58 is not declaring Orozco elected from this snapshot.

Other Gonzales districts

The same preliminary report showed Adrian Paco as the sole ballot-listed candidate in Council District 3 with 135 reported votes. In the two-year District 4 race, Constance “Connie” Arellano led Henry Martinez Sr. 177 to 22. These are separate district electorates; the citywide mayoral election had its own three-candidate ballot.

The policy decisions ahead

City Council members participate in decisions on spending, neighborhoods, streets, development and services. In a district election, even a small number of additional ballots may determine which candidate represents a community at City Hall.

Sources: Salinas Valley Tribune, preliminary Monterey County results at 8:30 p.m., November 3; Monterey County Elections office.

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