Early election results show Mayor Mark Turner securing another term to lead Morgan Hill, while two incumbent city council members trail behind their challengers, as San José Spotlight reported.
Seven candidates ran for three open positions in the city. Voters cast ballots for an at-large mayoral seat alongside district races in District B, covering the northeast portion of the city, and District D, covering the eastern area. This election marks the first time the mayoral office carries a four-year term instead of a two-year term.
As of 11:21 p.m. on Election Day, initial counts placed Turner ahead with 50.2% of the vote, representing 4,703 ballots. Deborah Africa held second place with 37.3% or 3,495 votes, while Kristopher Clayton carried 11.2% or 1,042 votes. Santa Clara County recorded an overall voter turnout of 28.4%, with roughly 337,600 ballots remaining unprocessed countywide according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters. Additional election updates are expected by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Turner told San José Spotlight that he views the result as a vote of confidence in the city's trajectory and expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the incoming council. Turner has lived in Morgan Hill for 33 years and previously served as CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce before taking office as mayor in 2022. His stated priorities focus on city budget stability, sports, recreation, tourism, and economic growth, pointing to incoming employers like Archer Aviation and Heron Power as sources for up to 900 local jobs.
Africa, a retired nurse and resident of more than 40 years with experience at Stanford Hospital and regional facilities, told San José Spotlight she accepts the result while remaining focused on neighborhood health, government transparency, and responsible growth.
Clayton, a professional carpenter who attended local schools, centered his campaign on public safety, infrastructure, fiscal management, and business support.
In District B, early tallies show challenger Steven Hayes leading incumbent Yvonne Martinez Beltran. Hayes secured 63.9% of the vote, counting 1,486 votes, to Martinez Beltran's 35.8%, or 834 votes. Hayes, a fire captain and paramedic who has lived in the district for 14 years, told San José Spotlight he was encouraged by the initial numbers. His platform prioritizes financial stability, neighborhood safety, parks, and youth programs. Martinez Beltran, an urban planner who has served on the council since 2018, did not respond to requests for comment.
In District D, challenger Dolores Alvarado leads incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Librers. Early results show Alvarado with 58.5% or 1,469 votes, compared to Librers with 41.3% or 1,038 votes. Alvarado, a division director at the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and long-term healthcare executive, ran on transparent governance, budget protection for public services, and managed housing growth. Librers, completing 12 years of city service across two separate spans, focused her campaign on local infrastructure projects, family support services, and assistance for unhoused residents. Neither Alvarado nor Librers was immediately available for comment to the outlet on election night.
