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Redwood City Planning Commissioner Isabella Chu will be the next council member to represent district 3 after beating Vice Mayor Lissette Espinoza-Garnica by a mere 13 votes.
“I door knocked a lot, went to a lot of events, and I talked to someone from almost every household in the district, and I asked them what was important to them,” said Chu. “And I think my message really resonated with people.”
The latest election results, released on Tuesday, Nov. 26, show that Chu (50.23%) secured 1,398 votes over Espinoza-Garnica (49.77%), who received 1,385 votes. While the county elections office has completed counting all ballots, there are still 1,323 challenged ballots. Votes will be certified on Dec. 13.
“I’m happy with what we did in the four years that we had,” said Espinoza-Garnica. “So I’m optimistic about the shaping of new leadership being just as courageous and unapologetic.”
The city’s votes shifted since the last district 3 race in 2020 when Espinoza-Garnica secured the seat against Chu and Janet Borgens.
According to Espinoza-Garnica, one reason this happened could be the lower voter turnout this year compared to the last election cycle.
The county website shows the voter turnout in 2024 was 76.1% and 85.9% in 2020.
“I think part of it is the fact that at the federal level, the presidential campaign had a lower voter turnout, and that has a down ballot effect, which means less working class people came out to vote this year across the country,” Espinoza-Garnica added.
Since Espinoza-Garnica was next in line for the mayoral rotation, Chu’s win could potentially pave the way for Elmer Martinez Saballos to be the city’s next mayor.
Chu will start her term on Monday, Dec. 9, serving until it ends in December 2028.
The city council transition ceremony on Dec. 9 will take place at Redwood City Hall and will install the mayor, vice mayor, and newly elected council members, including Chu.
The LAST thing I’d want is a Council Member who’s proud of being “unapologetic”! I want someone who’s willing to comprise and work for the good of the entire Community, not just certain groups or agendas …
She wouldn’t stand for the pledge so I guess voters won’t stand for her. Fellow council member Chris Sturken called the issue a “distraction.” Remember this when he runs again.