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Public Safety First: Committee to Recall Supervisor Velazquez issued the following statement after San Benito County voters successfully recalled District 5 Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez. The election department certified the vote with a final tally 1312 YES – 1279 NO.
“This victory belongs to the voters of District 5,” co-chair Stacie McGrady said. “Residents
stood up for public safety, transparency, and accountable leadership. They rejected the politics of fear, division, and personal attacks. Most importantly, they made clear that elected officials work for the people, not the other way around.”
The recall began after months of frustration over the County’s handling of fire service negotiations, public safety funding, and what many residents viewed as a broader pattern of dismissing public input. Throughout the campaign, voters repeatedly raised concerns about fire protection, emergency response, fiscal priorities, growth policy, and trust in local government.
“This recall was never about politics as usual,” co-chair Kelly Lomanto Dominguez said. “It was about the fundamentals: keeping families safe, respecting and listening to the public, funding critical services, and restoring civility and trust in county government.”
Despite a campaign of attacks against recall supporters, petition circulators, and community members, District 5 voters made their voices heard. Committee members knocked on doors, gathered signatures, answered questions, and stood firm through months of pressure and misinformation.
“We are grateful to every voter who signed a petition, opened a door, made a phone call, donated, volunteered, or simply refused to be intimidated,” Heidi Connor, Campaign Treasurer said. “This was a grassroots effort powered by residents who love this community and believe San Benito County deserves better.”
The committee said the result should serve as a wake-up call for all county leaders. The message from voters is clear. Public safety must come first. Government must be transparent. Leaders must listen. And no elected official should ever use their position to attack the very people they were elected to serve.
This is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of a new chapter for District 5 and for San Benito County. Now we must come together, heal the divisions created by years of fear-based politics, and choose leadership that is honest, collaborative, and focused on the needs of residents.
The committee calls on county officials to move forward with integrity, respect the will of the voters, and ensure District 5 has representation that prioritizes public safety, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and community trust.
The people took their community back.