Gilroy’s municipal elections have officially shifted from traditional at-large voting to a district-based system, setting up a competitive November 3 ballot featuring eight candidates running across Districts 4, 5, and 6. While the mayoral seat remains at-large and is not up for election until Mayor Greg Bozzo’s term concludes in 2028, the electoral restructuring has drawn a diverse mix of political newcomers and returning former councilmembers.
Overview of Open Seats and Electoral Shifts:
The structural change has created wide-open races as long-serving councilmembers step aside. Councilmembers Carol Marques and Dion Bracco chose not to seek reelection, though the Bracco political legacy continues with Dion’s daughter, Elizabeth Bracco, running in District 6. Meanwhile, incumbent Tom Cline is running to retain a seat in the newly mapped District 5, and former Councilmembers Fred Tovar and Rebeca Armendariz are mounting comeback bids in Districts 4 and 6, respectively, after losing their seats two years ago.
District 4 Candidates and Key Issues:
District 4 features a two-way race centered on infrastructure, public safety, and economic development between paralegal Diana Sanchez Bentz and former Councilmember Fred Tovar.
Diana Sanchez Bentz: A 67-year-old lifelong Gilroy resident, 40-year paralegal at Paul Hastings LLP, and chair of the city’s Open Government Commission, Bentz emphasizes the need for better council collaboration, improved infrastructure, and enhanced lighting. She focuses on addressing property management and emergency service challenges at low-income housing sites like Alexander Station, alongside expanding mental health and drug abuse resources to curb homelessness.
Fred Tovar: A 57-year-old higher education admissions consultant who served eight years on the council from 2016 to 2024, Tovar relocated to District 4 earlier in the year to represent an underrepresented area. He campaigns on solution-oriented, bipartisan leadership, emphasizing fiscal accountability, transparent project communication, and stronger engagement with first responders and local nonprofits.
District 5 Candidates and Policy Platforms:
With no incumbent strictly tied to the newly drawn District 5 boundaries, Councilmember Tom Cline is seeking reelection against two challengers.
Tom Cline: A 65-year-old business owner and councilmember elected in 2022, Cline highlights his track record of establishing district-based elections, creating a dedicated economic development department, and securing approval for a fourth fire station. His platform centers on boosting the general fund via incoming developments like the Amazon Web Services data center, increasing police patrols, and finalizing the Gilroy Sports Park deal with the San Jose Sharks.
Joseph Garcia: A 50-year-old locomotive engineer and six-year Gilroy resident, Garcia focuses his campaign on working families, seniors, zoning reform, and neighborhood infrastructure investments, drawing on a background in industrial operations to emphasize safety and accountability.
Christina Tovar: A 47-year-old CPA and 30-year resident with finance degrees, Tovar targets fiscal responsibility, zoning reforms to ease business expansion, and stronger partnerships with local nonprofits to drive downtown revitalization and community growth.
District 6 Candidates and Community Priorities:
District 6 hosts a three-way contest focusing on community safety, economic development, and local advocacy.
Rebeca Armendariz: A 51-year-old fourth-generation resident and former councilmember (2020–2024), Armendariz centers her campaign on supporting youth, renters, and unhoused residents, alongside leading local opposition and legal coordination against the proposed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Holsclaw Road.
Elizabeth Bracco: A 31-year-old public policy graduate and fourth-generation resident, Bracco emphasizes public safety collaboration with law enforcement, fiscal prudence, and generational economic projects. She proposes downtown plazas with outdoor dining and pet-friendly storefronts to attract businesses and retain younger residents.
Brad Starks: A 43-year-old product marketing director and decade-long resident, Starks focuses on housing affordability, working wages, long-term infrastructure sustainability, and establishing clear communication channels between residents and city officials.
