Guadalupe City Councilwoman Christina Hernandez was well ahead of longtime Mayor Ariston Julian in the contest for the seat, according to semi-official election night results. Hernandez had 68.5% of the vote to Julian’s 30.5%.
The contest for the mayoral seat saw Julian challenged by Hernandez amid the city’s $3 million budget deficit.
Julian campaigned for strict fiscal spending, prioritizing municipal jobs and public safety, and commercial revenue. Hernandez advocated for long-term proactive planning, pursuing grant funding and protecting public safety.
Two City Council seats were uncontested on the ballot and will be filled by newcomers Randy Altergott and Robert Diaz.
Altergott is focusing on downtown business revitalization, and Diaz is prioritizing grant partnerships.
Altergott and Diaz will be filling the seats of Hernandez — who ran for mayor — and Eugene Costa Jr., who did not seek re-election. Councilwomen Amelia Villegas and Whitney Furness will continue their terms as council members until 2028.
Semi-official election results were released around 1:48 a.m. Wednesday and additional updates will be released in the coming days as more ballots are processed and counted. Final, certified results will be available by Dec. 3.
