UNION CITY — Emily Duncan, Jaime Patiño and and Pat Gacoscos were leading a pack of eight candidates vying for three seats on the City Council in initial returns Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, with Lorrin Ellis very close behind.
Duncan, Ellis and Gacoscos are incumbents seeking their third terms. Challenger Patiño is a human relations commissioner.
Bringing up the rear are accountant Vipan Bajwa and planning commissioners Lee Guio and Harris Mojadedi. David Whatley Zepeda pulled out of the race recently due to health reasons, but his name still appeared on the ballot.
The city has been facing tough financial decisions to contend with a projected $4 million annual budget deficit over next few years. The council voted to place new real estate sales and cannabis tax measures on ballot to shore up coffers.
Measure DD, the cannabis business tax, needs a simple majority to pass and held a commanding lead in early results. Measure EE, the real estate sales tax, also requires a simple majority for passage, and was leading in initial returns.