Rich Constantine led early in the race for Morgan Hill mayor on Tuesday, and the council member held on to a 407-vote margin in the election for Morgan Hill mayor, according to final, unofficial returns from the Nov. 6 election.
Constantine had chosen not to seek re-election to a new district seat and instead ran for mayor, where he appeared headed to victory over two candidates—former Council member Greg Sellers and community member Kirk Bertolet.
Despite Sellers’ significant fundraising, Constantine received 3,872 votes or 46.78 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting on Tuesday. Provisional ballots had not been counted as of Wednesday morning, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Office. If his lead holds, Constantine would be the city’s first elected African-American mayor.
Sellers received 3,465 votes or 41.86 percent of the vote and Bertolet received 940 votes or 11.36 percent.
Constantine had received significant endorsements from prominent members of the California Democratic party including, State Senator CA 17, Bill Monning, Assemblymember, Ash Kalra, Assemblymember Evan Low and Assemblymember Mark Stone. Sellers had received endorsements from current Mayor Steve Tate and Councilmember for District D, Caitlin Jachimowicz.
When announcing his campaign for mayor, Constantine said he would retire as a firefighter with the San Jose Fire Department, a job he held for 24 years. He said, “Today I turn my attention full time toward the work ahead right here in Morgan Hill. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get down to it.”
According to his campaign, Constantine’s 10-point plan for the city is to Advocate for Affordable Housing, Ensure Sensible Growth, Improve Traffic, Preserve and Creating City Parks, Address Homelessness, Fix city Streets, Improve Local Internet Speed and Access, Promote a Sustainable Community, Keep Schools Safe and Fully Funded and Require Government Accountability and Transparency.
Now that he has received the vote Constantine said, “The things I talked about during the campaign are definitely the things I’m going to be focusing on.”
Constantine has served as a Morgan Hill city council member for seven years. The city’s mayor serves a two-year term. He told the Times his main goal is mayor is to, “make the citizens lives better, something I’ve always strived to do as a council member.”
Constantine’s election marks the first time in a decade that the city has a new mayor. Tate announced before the 2018 campaign season that he would be retiring after this year, which concludes his fifth consecutive term as Morgan Hill’s mayor.
Richard Constantine, current Morgan Hill City Council member for District B, chose not to seek re-election and instead ran for mayor in the Nov. 6 election. He was successful in his race against two candidates—former Council member Greg Sellers and community member Kirk Bertolet.
Despite Sellers’ significant fundraising, Constantine received 3,872 votes or 46.78 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting. Provisional ballots have not been counted as of Wednesday morning, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Office.
Constantine received significant endorsements from prominent members of the California Democratic party including, State Senator CA 17, Bill Monning, Assemblymember, Ash Kalra, Assemblymember Evan Low and Assemblymember Mark Stone. Sellers had received endorsements from current Mayor Steve Tate and Councilmember for District D, Caitlin Jachimowicz.
While announcing his campaign for mayor, Constantine said he would retire from being firefighter with the San Jose Fire Department, a job he held for 24 years. He said, “Today I turn my attention full time toward the work ahead right here in Morgan Hill. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and get down to it.”
According to his campaign, Constantine’s 10-point plan for the city is to Advocate for Affordable Housing, Ensure Sensible Growth, Improve Traffic, Preserve and Creating City Parks, Address Homelessness, Fix city Streets, Improve Local Internet Speed and Access, Promote a Sustainable Community, Keep Schools Safe and Fully Funded and Require Government Accountability and Transparency.
Now that he has received the vote Constantine said, “The things I talked about during the campaign are definitely the things I’m going to be focusing on.”
Sellers received 3,465 votes or 41.86 percent of the vote and Bertolet received 940 votes or 11.36 percent.
Constantine has served as a Morgan Hill city council member for seven years. The city’s mayor serves a two-year term. He told the Times his main goal as mayor is to, “make the citizens lives better, something I’ve always strived to do as a council member.”
Constantine’s election marks the first time in a decade that the city has a new mayor. Tate announced before the 2018 campaign season that he would be retiring after this year, which concludes his fifth consecutive term as Morgan Hill’s mayor.
