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Candidates Kick Off Council Campaigns
Council Pizza PIX.jpg
Riverbank District 1 City Council candidate Luis Uribe, center, kicks off his campaign for election in November with a get together at Round Table Pizza in the Crossroads Shopping Center last week. He’s running against two others, Eva Nash and Jack Whorton. - photo by Ric McGinnis/ The News

The November 2018 Municipal Election is just 10 weeks away and candidates for seats on the Riverbank City Council are already organizing and beginning their campaigns.

Some are putting up posters around their district while others are planning to get their messages out face to face by walking their neighborhoods.

In District 1, eastern Riverbank, there are three candidates: Eva Nash, Jack Whorton and Luis Uribe.

Nash said she would begin walking in the neighborhoods of her district starting just after the holiday weekend.

“I am excited to hear the ideas and concerns of my fellow Riverbank residents,” Nash said.

She added she understands how decisions at city hall impact the whole community, and said she “wants to represent her district and all community members, making informed decisions that will strengthen Riverbank.”

Whorton says his campaign is already going strong and he’s been going door to door, “meeting with citizens of District 1, putting up yard signs.”

He says he wants to “enhance residents’ quality of life by working to improve our air and water quality, fix our streets and sidewalks and beautify our neighborhoods, strengthen economic development and improve public safety and build affordable housing.”

Uribe kicked off his campaign efforts last Thursday, with a gathering at Round Table Pizza. The session gave the candidate an opportunity to share a meal and conversation with local residents as he prepares for a busy campaign season ahead.

Also in November, District 3 candidates Cal Campbell and Leanne Jones-Cruz will be running for re-election. Currently, both are incumbent council members, but both live in the same district, so must compete against each other with only one being returned to the council.

The City of Riverbank switched to district elections three years ago, in an effort to avoid being sued by special interest groups. The 2014 election saw Vice Mayor Darlene Barber-Martinez elected to represent District 4 and newcomer Cindy Fosi in District 2.

The District 1 and 3 seats come up for election this November.

The office of Mayor is voted on at-large, city wide, not in a specific district. That seat – currently held by Richard O’Brien – will be on the 2020 ballot.