Now that the first council districts in the City of Manteca’s 103-year history have been drawn, potential candidates have started assessing possible runs in 2022.
There are three possible council candidates that reside in the new District 4 that includes all of Manteca north of Louise Avenue on both sides of Highway 99.
The potential list includes incumbent Jose Nuño who was elected in the 2016 citywide vote. Nuño on Thursday indicated he’ll make a decision on whether to run in January after the holidays.
Mike Morowit and Ron Laffranchi also confirmed Thursday they have been talking with people to gauge support for a potential run.
Laffranchi is a current Manteca Planning Commission member. Both Morowit and Nuño have served on the planning commission. Morowit is a former City Council member.
The Manteca City Council in adopting district boundaries on Tuesday included the Diamond Oaks neighborhood and commercial center on the northeast corner of Cottage and Louise that had been previously proposed to be part of District 2 encompassing areas east of Highway 99 and southeast Manteca east of Union Road and south of the 120 Bypass.
The largest neighborhood in District 4 that includes East Union High is the 1,406-home age-restricted Del Webb at Woodbridge community.
The other race that will be on the November 2022 ballot is for the newly formed District 3.
Dave Breitenbucher resides in the new district. His term is up in a year from now after getting elected in 2016.
Breitenbucher on Thursday confirmed he is preparing a run for mayor and expects to make a formal announcement soon.
Since he can’t run for both seats, it means the District 3 seat will be wide open.
Mayor Ben Cantu and Councilman Gary Singh have all but formally announced they are running for mayor in 2022. Councilman Charlie Halford has also said he is considering. Halford and Singh would be running from “safe seats” given they both have three years remaining on their terms.
District 3 is bounded on the north by Louise Avenue, on the east by Highway 99, and on the south by the 120 Bypass.
The western boundary starts at the 120 Bypass and Union Road, jogs to the east on Wawona Street and then swings north on El Portal for a block before shifting slightly to the northwest onto El Capitan. It then heads east on Nevada Street for a block and then heads north on Walnut Avenue before turning east on Alameda and then heading north along the Tidewater to Louise Avenue.
District 3 contains all of pre-1965 Manteca that includes downtown and Manteca High.
District 1 where Halford resides borders District 3 on the east, District 4 north of Louise Avenue and includes everything west of Union Road south of the 120 Bypass.
Sierra High as well as the Costco, Stadium Retail Center, and the family entertainment zone anchored by Great Wolf and Big League Dreams sports complex.
District 2 where Singh resides consists of everything south of the 120 Bypass that is east of Union Road as well as areas east of Highway 99 except north of Louise Avenue.
It was Singh’s suggestion to add the area north of Louise Avenue to District 4 in a bid to make district boundaries less confusing.
Woodward Park and The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley are in District 2.
The mayor will continue to be elected city wide while only voters that reside in specific districts can cast ballots for candidates who must reside in the district.
The final reading of the ordinance that establishes districts takes place at the Dec. 21 council meeting.
Districts 3 and 4 plus the mayor’s race is on the 2022 ballot. District 1 and 2 are part of the 2024 election cycle.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
