Early election returns show incumbent Peter Ortiz holding a lead over challenger Nora Campos in the race for San Jose City Council District 5, as San José Spotlight reported. As of 11:21 p.m. on Election Day, initial results showed Ortiz leading with 54.9% of the vote, representing 5,883 votes. Campos trailed with 44.8% of the vote, representing 4,798 votes. Countywide voter turnout was recorded at 28.4%.
The next official update on election results is scheduled for release on Wednesday, Nov. 4, by 5 p.m. Both candidates are competing to represent District 5, a area that encompasses the East San Jose neighborhoods of Alum Rock, Mt. Pleasant, and the broader East Side. Ortiz and Campos advanced to the general election after finishing ahead of candidates Karen Martínez and Vy Dang in the primary election held on June 2.
Following the release of the initial vote tally, Ortiz expressed humility and gratitude for the early results, telling San José Spotlight that he never takes anything for granted. He reflected on his background, noting that he grew up in a working poor family raised by a single mother and was personally impacted by gang violence. Ortiz stated that his motivation for serving on the council is the opportunity to advocate for youth facing similar obstacles and to bring positive changes to historically underfunded neighborhoods in the area where he grew up.
Campos also commented on the early returns, telling San José Spotlight that she remained optimistic about the outcome. She observed that significant numbers of votes remained uncounted based on the long voter lines she observed during the day.
Ortiz has served on the City Council since 2022, when he won a runoff election against Campos with 55% of the vote. During his first term in office, he described his record as being focused on supporting local working families. His policy platform includes advocating for increased protections for immigrant communities, establishing harsher penalties for catalytic converter thefts, and enforcing consequences against landlords who fail to maintain habitable living conditions for their tenants.
Additionally, Ortiz has pushed to reduce local emergency response times by supporting the hiring of more emergency service personnel. He also helped secure $3 million in federal funding to support the expansion of the La Placita project at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. Helen Masamori, a small business owner located on Alum Rock Avenue, publicly endorsed Ortiz's responsiveness, telling San José Spotlight that he addresses neighborhood concerns and safety issues quickly.
Before taking office on the City Council, Ortiz overcame teenage gang involvement to become a local community advocate. He later served in public education roles, including positions on the Mt. Pleasant Elementary School District board and as president of the Santa Clara County Board of Education. In the current election cycle, Ortiz secured the sole endorsement offered by the South Bay Labor Council.
Campos, 60, is a longtime figure in local public office who previously represented District 5 on the San Jose City Council from 2001 to 2010. Following her tenure on the council, she served in the California State Assembly from 2010 to 2016. Currently leading the policy advisory firm 55 Advisors, Campos has built her campaign platform around expanding affordable housing, investing in city parks, supporting youth programs, addressing homelessness, and assisting small businesses.
Reflecting on her previous term representing District 5, Campos highlighted several major community developments she helped establish. She noted her work leading the commercial revitalization of the shopping corridor at Story and King roads, advocating for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's light rail extension to Eastridge, and supporting police department hiring initiatives alongside former Mayor Chuck Reed.
