Meet the candidates: City Council, MHUSD board of trustees

In this week’s edition, as part of our ongoing election coverage the Times will feature candidates for Morgan Hill City Council District B and District D, as well as Morgan Hill Unified School District Trustee Area 2. 

Running for District B are Steven Hayes and incumbent Yvonne Martinez Beltran. District D candidates are Dolores Alvarado and incumbent Marilyn Librers. 

For MHUSD TA2, the candidates are incumbent John T. Horner and Gabriela “Gabby” Winter. 

We asked candidates for a short biographical intro and a statement about why they are running and what they hope to achieve in office. 

Their responses are published as written by the candidates, with minor editing for style, space and clarity. Martinez Beltran did not submit responses in time for publication. 

These races, among others, will be on the Nov. 3 statewide general election ballot. 

Over the next few weeks, this newspaper will continue to profile candidates for local office. To read previously published candidate profiles, visit our website at morganhilltimes.com. 

For more information about the Nov. 3 election—including a full list of statewide, regional and local candidates, and how to register to vote—visit the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters’ website at sccvote.org. 

The deadline is Oct. 19 to register to vote in time for Nov. 3. Election officials will begin sending out ballot information packets in early October. Information contained in the packets includes locations of voting centers and secure dropboxes. 

Steven Hayes

Candidate for City Council District B

Steven Hayes has called Morgan Hill home for more than 22 years. As a City of Gilroy Fire Captain and president of the Gilroy Firefighters Association, he is dedicated to public service and community safety. He has taught CPR classes and babysitter boot camps to Morgan Hill youth, preparing them to respond to emergencies at home.

Morgan Hill is my home. My wife and I are raising our two daughters here, both of whom dance competitively at Lana’s Dance Studio. Our family has been part of this community for more than 20 years. Morgan Hill isn’t just where we live. It’s where we’ve built our life, raised our family and invested in the community we love.

I began my career in public safety in 2002 and worked my way through the ranks to become a Fire Captain and Paramedic. I’ve spent my career serving others, responding when people need help and leading during some of the most difficult moments a person can face.

I believe leadership means being involved in the community you call home and being willing to serve when people need you. I have served as president of the Gilroy Firefighters Association since 2019, representing the men and women who protect our communities. 

I also serve as a California State Representative for the International Association of Fire Fighters and serve on the California Earthquake Authority Board, where I work on issues that affect the safety and resilience of communities across California.

But most importantly, I’m a husband and a dad. Being a parent has given me an even greater appreciation for the importance of safe neighborhoods, quality parks, youth opportunities and a community where families can thrive.

I’m running for Morgan Hill City Council because I believe our community deserves experienced, accountable leadership focused on getting things done. I believe we can have responsible growth, safe neighborhoods, strong local businesses and a city government that listens to its residents and is accountable for delivering results.

Morgan Hill is our home. I’m running to make sure it remains a great place to raise a family, build a business, and call home for generations to come.

Dolores Alvarado

Candidate for City Council District D

Ms. Alvarado, a Morgan Hill resident for 32 years, brings executive management skills and government leadership to the 2026 District D City Council race. As the CEO of Community Health Partnership, she works with a consortium of 45 community clinics, communities and county government to enhance access to healthcare for all. 

I am running for City Council because District D deserves a representative who understands that healthy neighborhoods are built through practical work and community input. They require safe streets, affordable housing, well-maintained parks and public spaces, reliable city services and a government that listens.

My work experience of 50 years taught me to look beyond the immediate problem and address the conditions that shape people’s everyday lives. In District D, that means understanding that traffic safety affects whether children can walk to school or seniors can enjoy a daily stroll. Housing costs affect whether seniors and working families can stay in Morgan Hill. 

Parks and welcoming public spaces support health, connection and quality of life. 

I currently lead a health advocacy organization that brings clinics, community organizations and county/city government together to serve all who need healthcare.

This work is directly relevant to the role of a City Council: listening to different voices, bringing people and agencies together, managing budgets and priorities and finding practical solutions.

I am honored to have earned the support of U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Sen. Dave Cortese, Assemblymember Ash Kalra, former Morgan Hill Councilmember Rene Spring and other community and county leaders. 

I am also proud to have the sole endorsement of the South Bay Labor Council, Local 393, The Trades Council, and SCC Democratic Club in the District D race, reflecting support for my commitment to working families, strong public services and practical leadership. 

District D includes established neighborhoods, growing areas, hillside communities and ethnically diverse families with different needs and perspectives. I will show up, listen and work across those differences. I will advocate for safer streets, sensible housing, protected parks and services, support for seniors and youth and transparent decision-making.

I look forward to serving Morgan Hill’s District D Community.

Marilyn Librers

Candidate for City Council District D

I have lived in Morgan Hill for almost 50 years. I am elected to the City Council representing District D. I have served as a Council Member for 12 years and have been appointed as Vice Mayor four different times. I will finish up my two-year term as Vice Mayor this November. Before being elected to the Council I served six years on the Parks and Recreation Commission for the City. 

Morgan Hill is my home and I am committed to serving the community as your Councilmember. When I moved to Morgan Hill in 1977 our town had only 5,000 residents and two signal lights. Now our population is close to 48,000 with many signal lights. 

As we continue to grow, however at a hopefully much slower rate, my experience and knowledge is valuable. We are no longer allowed controlled local growth but governed by Sacramento to build housing especially for low income. 

I believe everyone should have a home; however where these houses are built is a key factor. Also, infrastructure should meet the needs of the population. Do we have enough water, police/fire, utilities and schools to meet the needs of the growing community? 

I have the skills and relationships in Sacramento and at the County level to speak up for our city. In my District I have many major projects that are needing my attention on a daily basis.

First there is a senior housing project being developed on Hill Road. Traffic is a major concern. The Anderson Dam project has now been delayed for several more years. And I am also concerned for the families that live up Dunne Avenue and the fire danger they face if there is a call for evacuation. 

I was evacuated five years ago and I can relate to needed exit routes. These are just a few of the areas where my skills will be needed to guide the city and advocate for our residents. 

Important to me is our economic growth. We now have a moratorium on new data centers. Thankfully we are beginning to occupy some of the empty industrial spaces with profitable companies. Tax dollars will begin to come into the city. 

Also jobs and shoppers. Our downtown is thriving with restaurants and entertainment. Let’s keep this trend going.

John T. Horner

Candidate for MHUSD Trustee Area 2

John graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in Electrical Engineering and had a successful career in technology before pivoting to owning Thinker Toys. This led to him leading the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce and then to being elected to the MHUSD Board of Education. He has lived in Morgan Hill for 30 years and has been happily married to Ann Horner for 39 years.

For years, I’ve believed that true leadership is measured by a proven track record of service to our community. I’ve co-founded four successful local nonprofit foundations, guided the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce to vibrant health and delivered steady leadership on the MHUSD Board of Education.

Since my election in 2018, our district has achieved transformative results:

• High school graduation rates surged from 84% to 96%, alongside guaranteed SJSU acceptance, expanded AP classes and dual enrollment.

• Teacher pay increased by 30%, backed by relentless advocacy in Sacramento and DC that secured an extra $3 million annually for Special Education.

• We tripled Career and Technical Education participation, implemented the Science of Reading, added 14 wellness counselors, restored P.E. and built a national-model nutrition program.

• Through smart budgeting and advocacy, we increased reserves from $25 million to $37 million—all without school closures or layoffs.

• I have consistently fought to protect sports, arts, music and extracurriculars because school must be engaging and meaningful.

Real progress takes relentless work. Your vote will allow me to continue delivering for Morgan Hill’s students and families.

Gabriela “Gabby” Winter

Candidate for MHUSD Trustee Area 2

Morgan Hill has been home for nearly 40 years. I grew up here, attended our local schools, and now have the joy of raising my three children here. I’ve spent years volunteering in our schools, supporting local nonprofits and community events, and giving back to the community that has given me so much.

As a mother of three children attending Morgan Hill Unified schools, I’m running because I believe we can do better and because our students, educators, families and taxpayers deserve leadership willing to ask tough questions, listen and work collaboratively toward solutions.

I believe our focus must begin in the classroom.

Graduation rates matter, and every student earning a diploma should be celebrated. But graduation cannot be our only measure of success. We must also ask whether students are entering high school with the foundation they need, and graduating truly prepared for what comes next.

The latest state testing data shows progress, but also how much work remains. In Morgan Hill Unified, approximately 47% of students met or exceeded the state standard in English and 36% in math. Among our third graders, only about 37% met or exceeded the English standard, a marked decline in the last few years.

These numbers represent our children, and we must identify challenges early and provide meaningful support.

That starts with supporting the people closest to our students. Teachers and classified employees deserve to feel valued, heard and supported. We need to work toward competitive compensation, invest in classroom resources, include educators in decisions and attract and retain great teachers and staff.

We also must recognize that our resources are not unlimited. Responsible stewardship means being strategic with taxpayer dollars, establishing measurable outcomes and evaluating whether programs and spending are delivering results. 

When something works, we should build on it. When it doesn’t, we should ask why and make adjustments.

We can celebrate progress while still expecting better.

I’m running to bring a parent’s perspective, an independent voice and a commitment to keeping our priorities where they belong— on students, educators and classrooms.

Classrooms First. Now and Always.