Pico Rivera : Recount Favors Incumbent
It is now official: Richard Mercado fell just seven votes short in his bid to win a seat on the City Council in the April 8 election. After Friday’s recount, incumbent Gil De La Rosa finished with 1,827 votes, while Mercado tallied 1,820.
When the ballots were first counted, De La Rosa had 1,844 votes and Mercado 1,821. But City Clerk Thelma Kail said several ballots were either miscounted in De La Rosa’s favor or mismarked, making it impossible to tell which candidate should receive the vote. Mismarked ballots were disqualified, Kail said.
Mercado, a 51-year-old building inspector for the city, requested the recount, which cost him $280. Reluctantly, Mercado said he accepts the final result and will not seek another review of the election.
“To get so close and fall short is very disappointing,†said Mercado, a three-time council challenger. “But I will run, and run again until I win a seat on that council.â€
Two other incumbents, John Chavez and Alberto Natividad were easily reelected.
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