Incumbent Mayor Loses Election by 165 Votes

In a very close election race, challenger Peter Fajardo was named the new mayor of Carson on Tuesday, defeating incumbent Michael Mitoma by 165 votes. But Mitoma, mayor for the last seven years, said he intends to seek a recount.

The final vote count came after the city clerk’s office spent a week verifying absentee ballots and provisional ballots, many of which arrived the day of the March 4 election. Preliminary results showed Fajardo ahead by a mere 28 votes.

According to the official vote count, Councilman Fajardo received 4,022 votes or 35.3% of the vote while Mitoma had 3,867 or 34%. James Peoples had 2,710 or 23% of the vote and Roye Love had 782 or 6.9%.

Security was tight around the ballots. City Clerk Helen Kawagoe deposited Monday’s uncounted ballots in a bank vault to ensure their safety. During the counting in the City Council chambers, sheriff’s deputies were on hand.

Mitoma said he would challenge the final results, noting that about 700 absentee and provisional ballots were rejected by the city clerk. He believes that they should be reconsidered.

“I paid for a poll that indicated I was ahead 2 to 1,” he said, adding that he will discuss with his lawyer whether to file a lawsuit against the city of Carson.

Nevertheless, the new mayor and City Council were sworn in at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.