As the November 2024 election approaches, voters in Newman and Gustine are gearing up to elect their City Council and School Board representatives. Candidates from both cities are eager to share their vision for the future of their communities, each bringing a unique perspective to the race.
Newman City Council
In Newman, Mayor Casey Graham is running unopposed, securing another term to continue leading the city. Alongside him, Laroy McDonald, the incumbent City Councilmember, seeks re-election, facing competition from Gisel Pimentel and Matthew L. Harden. The three City Council candidates are vying for two seats, one of which is currently vacant.
Pimentel, a native of Newman, expressed her deep-rooted connection to the community:
“I saw the opportunity to run for City Council because I am a Newman native myself. I was raised in Newman and work in Newman, and I know the needs that the residents of Newman need. I want to represent the residents of Newman.”
Matthew Harden, an active community member and president of the school site council, shared his motivations for running. He is running for City council and a seat on the Newman Crows Landing Unified School District.
“I decided to run because I’ve been involved with my three children’s school as the president of the school site council for the last six years, and the lack of parent involvement and diminishing teacher support gives me great concern,” he said. “I have two master’s degrees and believe in a quality education that should be made available to all children, including those with learning challenges. My son has ADHD and ASD, and the struggle for me personally on identifying what resources and protections were available to my child, the staff, as well as myself, was a stressful and daunting ordeal that I want to be able to address and make more transparent for others. We parents need a voice on the school board and a say in what policies, curriculum, and community engagement efforts are being made by the school board that can positively or negatively impact the educational growth potential of our children and our small-town culture.”
Mary M. Moore, Newman’s Treasurer, is also running unopposed and will continue serving in her position.
Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District
The school board race in Newman features a contest in Trustee Area 3, with Lyzette Gonzalez and Scott K. Schaa vying for the seat. In Trustee Area 4, voters will choose between Matthew L. Harden, Mario A. Martins, and Derek Wach.
Gustine City Council
In Gustine, Mayor Pat Nagy is running unopposed, ensuring he will remain in office. Meanwhile, the race for City Council is more competitive, with Blake Giles, a volunteer firefighter and business owner, seeking to retain his seat after being appointed in 2023. He faces two challengers: Mark Melville, former Gustine City Manager and Police Chief, and Laura Lopez, a community member.
Melville shared his reasons for running for City Council, emphasizing his commitment to addressing community needs:
“As a resident of Gustine, I’ve seen the challenges our community faces firsthand. I’m running for City Council because I believe in the potential of this town and its people. Together, we can strengthen our businesses, improve public safety, and ensure that every resident has a voice. My goal is to bring fresh ideas, transparency, and a commitment to working with all members of our community to make Gustine a place where everyone can thrive.”
Gustine Unified School District
For the Gustine Unified School District, Loretta Rose, an incumbent with 17 years of experience on the school board, is running for re-election in Trustee Area 4. She faces Andrew Bloom, a farmer and businessman.
Rose reflected on her long-standing commitment to the school district and her passion for continuing her work:
“As someone who has spent 17 years on the school board, I’ve always believed that true leadership is about being present and actively supporting our kids, staff, and community. You and I are the only board members out there, making sure we show up for the people we serve. While the board as a whole makes decisions from within, it’s those of us who go above and beyond who truly bridge the gap between the boardroom and our community. I love what I’m doing, and I want to see even more great things happen in our schools, from improving the quality of education to strengthening our relationship with the families we serve. I’m committed to continuing this work, fighting for our students, and improving the collaboration we need to move forward. Together, we can make sure our schools continue to be a place where every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
Bloom, on the other hand, emphasized the financial side of educational leadership, focusing on ensuring the district’s resources are allocated effectively:
“Why I’m running is simple; to bring my financial expertise to the GUSD board room. I want to ensure my two children, along with every other child in our community, have the best school system possible. The right programs and funding in the correct areas will help assure this.”
Meanwhile, Kevin Cordeiro (Trustee Area 2) and Zachery Ramos (Trustee Area 3) will keep their seats on the board, both running unopposed.
An attempt was made to reach out to other candidates running in these elections, but some candidates did not have accessible social media pages, either personal or campaign-related, and others did not respond to inquiries. Attempts will continue for the next issue.
