Lei Ann Varletta Larson — who finished second in the 2022 citywide mayor’s race — is challenging District 3 incumbent Dave Breitenbucher in the Nov. 3 municipal election.
Larson took out nomination papers on Thursday. She has until today at 5 p.m. to file nomination papers with the required signatures of 20 City of Manteca registered voters.
In the 2022 mayoral election, Gary Singh got 49.3 of the vote (10.866 votes) while Larson was second with 25.55 percent (5,740 votes). Ben Cantu finished third at 24.53 percent (5,348 votes).
Barring Larson not returning her nomination papers or not securing enough valid signatures, it means all three municipal races on the Nov. 3 ballot will be competitive.
District 3 — which basically encompasses the 1970 city limits including downtown and Manteca High — did not have a competitive race in 2024. Breitenbucher is seeking his third four-year term.
There will be a three-way race for the District 4 Council seat representing Manteca north of Louise Avenue with the exception of the Diamond Oaks neighborhood could be shaping up.
Incumbent Mike Morowit is being challenged by Rogger Gutierrez and Dani Bettencourt.
Morowit is seeking his second four-year term.
Singh, who is seeking his second four-year term for mayor, is being challenged by Jacob Naven.
All candidates save for Larson have secured the required valid signatures and have qualified for the ballot.
Lack of valid signatures
kept former council
member off the ballot
Roughly 22 years ago, the late Wayne Flores who took out papers two days before the filing deadline ended up not qualifying for the ballot..
Flores, who served two eight-year terms in the 1990s and was credited with overcoming council opposition to get the skate park built, decided to make a political comeback..
He turned the nomination papers in the next day with an hour or so to spare
Flores turned in 24 signatures, four more than the legally required number.
Five of the signatures were not of registered voters that resided within the city limits.
Given the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters had to verify signatures — that couldn’t happen until the following Monday — Flores didn’t qualify for the ballot.
Had he turned in his nomination paper with signatures several days earlier, he would have been told he was one valid signature short and could have scrambled to get it.
It should be noted it takes more than just be a legally registered voter with a valid Manteca address given the 95336 and 95337 ZIP Codes include a large number of rural residents that reside outside the city limits.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
