54 percent: Elizalde's edge in Pomona District 2 race
The nonprofit director holds a small edge over the eight-year incumbent as Los Angeles County finishes counting ballots for the District 2 seat.
By Lorenzo Marshall ·
Jacky Elizalde held a narrow lead over incumbent Victor Preciado in the Pomona City Council District 2 race as of Wednesday morning. The Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters posted results showing Elizalde with nearly 54 percent of the vote. Preciado had just over 46 percent. Counts were still in progress after Tuesday’s General Election.
This head-to-head matchup followed a June primary where no candidate secured the required majority. That outcome sent the top two finishers into a runoff campaign focused on local priorities. The two main topics in the race were housing development and government transparency.
Elizalde, a nonprofit director, argued that Pomona needs more housing units but must do so carefully. She emphasized the need to preserve historic neighborhoods while creating new options for families. “That means preserving historic neighborhoods while creating more opportunities for homeownership, affordable housing, townhomes, apartments, and other options that meet the needs of different families,” she said in a questionnaire provided to the Southern California News Group.
She also called for changes in how the city communicates its budget. Elizalde said the city must make spending easier for residents to understand. “Most importantly, we need to change the culture at City Hall,” she said. “Government exists to serve the people. We should stop being a city that starts with why something cannot be done and become one that asks how we can get it done.”
Preciado, who has served on the council since his first election in 2018, addressed the same issues. He stated that the city needs to increase its housing supply without losing its character. “The key is to build thoughtfully and responsibly, while giving residents more housing choices,” he said. He noted that his tenure has supported a mix of housing types, including ADUs, condos, and starter homes.
On transparency, Preciado focused on accessibility and participation. He said the city should offer meetings at various times, including mornings, evenings, and weekends. He also highlighted the expansion of translation services to help residents participate in local government.
The District 2 race was the only council contest on the Pomona ballot this cycle. The final outcome depends on the completion of the count by the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters.
