Mark Turner has won another four years as mayor in Morgan Hill, while incumbents in City Council Districts B and D, Yvonne Martinez Beltran and Marilyn Librers, lack the support needed to retain their seats.
Seven candidates — three for the mayoral seat and two each in Districts B and D — are vying for seats in the three posts up for grabs. The mayoral seat is an at-large seat with the term shifting from two to four years for the first time. District B encompasses the northeast area of the city. District D covers the eastern part of the city.
Mayor
In the mayoral race, incumbent Mark Turner is seeking his third term, but the first as the seat shifts to a four-year term. Turner, a full-time public official, is running against Deborah Africa, a retired nurse, and Kristopher Clayton, a professional carpenter.
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Turner is ahead in the mayoral race with 50.1% of the vote, or 4,758 votes. In second place is Africa with 37.3% of the vote or 3,539 votes. Clayton has 11.2% of the vote or 1,064 votes. Total county voter turnout is 29.6%.
Approximately 337,600 ballots remain unprocessed countywide, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters.
“I’m honored to continue serving as the mayor of Morgan Hill for four more years,” Turner told San José Spotlight. “I see the outcome of the election as a vote of confidence that we are moving in the right direction as a city. … We have good things ahead of us and I’m looking forward to working with the new council bringing those things to fruition.”
Turner and his wife have lived in Morgan Hill for 33 years, raising three children who have gone through the public school system. Before his election to mayor in 2022, Turner was CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce. He left the chamber to focus on Morgan Hill residents and businesses.
Turner said the budget is a top priority for him — generating additional revenue being a must. He said he’s championing sports and recreation, economic development and tourism opportunities. With companies like Archer Aviation and Heron Power coming to the city, Turner said that will bring as many as 900 new jobs to Morgan Hill, but he said that can’t be the sole focus.
Africa, a Morgan Hill resident for more than four decades, said she is running for mayor because the city needs leadership that puts residents first, making decisions based on the community’s long-term health rather than short-term political convenience.
She said her campaign is focused on three priorities: safe and healthy neighborhoods, transparent and accountable government and responsible growth with real affordability. She points to her 30 years of experience in nursing, public administration, education and advocacy, with experience at Stanford Hospital, as well as hospitals in San Jose, Gilroy, Los Gatos and Humboldt County.
“I accept the result. But I’m still concerned about (Turner’s) voting record, his handling of city projects and how he treats fellow councilmembers and residents who disagree with him,” Africa told San José Spotlight. “I’ll keep following council decisions, asking questions and speaking up when I think the city is headed in the wrong direction. When he makes a decision that serves Morgan Hill well, I’ll say that, too.”
Clayton grew up in Morgan Hill, graduated from Live Oak High School and is raising his family here. His policy focus includes fiscal responsibility, responsible growth, public safety, roads and infrastructure, supporting working families and local businesses and protecting the city’s character.
District B
In District B, incumbent Yvonne Martinez Beltran is wrapping up her second, four-year term, dating back to 2018. She is challenged by Steven Hayes, a career firefighter and paramedic.
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Hayes is ahead in the District B race with 63.7% of the vote, or 1,504 votes. In second place is Martinez Beltran with 36% of the vote or 851 votes.
“I’m very encouraged to be ahead in the early results,” Hayes told San José Spotlight. “We worked hard over the past several months, knocking on thousands of doors, talking with residents, listening to their concerns and making the case for safer neighborhoods, strong parks and youth programs, fiscal responsibility and protecting what makes Morgan Hill such a great place to live.”
Hayes is a fire captain and paramedic in Gilroy who has lived in Morgan Hill for 22 years, the past 14 years in District B. Hayes’ priorities are on public safety, fiscal responsibility, responsible growth, strong parks and public spaces and providing opportunities for Morgan Hill’s youth and working families. Additionally, Hayes said he supports small businesses, investing in infrastructure and protecting the character of the city.
He said the top concern the city is facing is its financial stability, but also pointed to the need to make thoughtful decisions on infrastructure and public safety without feeling rushed.
Martinez Beltran is a Morgan Hill lifer, having spent her time living in District B. She holds a master’s degree in urban planning from New York University with a focus in housing and economic development. She said her experience bodes well for what she can do for the city she’s represented for the past eight years, specifically focused on the city’s growth, housing, infrastructure and economic development.
Martinez Beltran did not respond to a request for comment.
District D
In District D, incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Librers is completing 12 years serving Morgan Hill, from 2008 to 2016 and again in 2022 to the present. The city term limits cap officials to 12 consecutive years, making Librers eligible. Librers is challenged by Dolores Alvarado, division director at the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and CEO of Community Health Partnership.
As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Alvarado is ahead in early results with 58.4% of the vote, or 1,488 votes. In second place is Librers with 41.4% of the vote or 1,056 votes.
Alvarado was not immediately available for comment.
For the past 16 years, Alvarado has been CEO of Community Health Partnership, a consortium of federally qualified health centers that provides healthcare to all, regardless of status, throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. A resident of Morgan Hill’s District D for more than three decades, Alvarado has a half-century of experience working with county government and nonprofits on policy and contracts. She said her ability to work across the political aisle for the benefit of city residents is an asset.
Alvarado supports a range of housing types, but said new projects need to match the city’s street capacity, school routes and existing character, with realistic parking and safety standards. She added that residents should also know what’s planned near them and have a chance to weigh in well in advance.
She said Morgan Hill’s budget must protect parks, recreation, diverse programming and public safety so the city’s financial pressures don’t hollow out daily quality of life. Her platform is focused on transparency for herself and other public officials.
Mayor Pro Tem Librers is a retired nonprofit executive who has spent nearly 50 years in Morgan Hill, all in District D. Librers also has years of experience on city and county commissions.
“I wish the new councilwoman all the best,” Librers told San José Spotlight.
This story originally appeared in San Jose Spotlight.