As 80 percent of precincts were reported in Hollister District 3, newcomer Karson Klauer retained a strong led over former city Councilman Robert Scattini. Klauer, a local realtor whose campaign focused on economic development, had 61.82 percent of the votes at 10 p.m. on Tuesday with Scattini receiving 37.91 percent.
As of 10 p.m., the results in Hollister District 2 council race were still too close to call with Victoria Montoya leading Mickie Solorio Luna by five votes.
Two candidates are vying for the seat in District 3 that will be vacated by City Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia at the end of her term while two candidates are vying for an open seat in District 2.
As early poll results came in Tuesday night, Karson Klauer led former city Councilman Robert Scattini 61.22 percent to 38.46 percent, according to the San Benito County Registrar of Voter numbers posted at 8:01 p.m.
Before the election, District 3 candidate Klauer stressed economic development and improving the infrastructure in the city.
“Our local economy is what provides the funding for city services,” Klauer said in a Q&A with BenitoLink before the election. “I think as a city we should be investing in growing Hollister’s business sector. Reinstating the economic development corporation with a competent go-getter would be a great start. We need to make sure we are supporting existing businesses and encouraging others to come into town.”
Scattini, who had formerly served as a councilman in District 2 before moving out of the district, did not respond to a request from BenitoLink to answer questions before the election.
In District 2, Mickie Solorio Luna and Victoria Montoya were in a much closer race based on early results. They were separated by five votes based on the numbers reported by the Office of the Registrar at 8:01 p.m. Montoya led with 50.35 percent of the votes to Luna’s 49.17 percent
In a Q&A with BenitoLink before the election, Luna said she would encouraging business opportunities in her district such as offering incentives for local residents to become business owners. Montoya said she would also focus on economic development, which she said is a national, state and political problem.
District 2 is currently represented by Shari Stevenson, who took over the seat in August when Robbie Scattini resigned after moving out of District 2.
Check back for more results throughout the evening.