Alma Marquez files paperwork to replace husband on City Council

Councilman Luis Marquez and his wife, Alma. Alma filed paperwork to run for City Council. Facebook photo

DOWNEY -- Alma Marquez, wife of Downey councilman Luis Marquez, is running to replace her husband on the City Council when he is termed out this November.

Alma Marquez was the surprise addition to a list of certified candidates released by Downey city clerk Adria Jimenez on Tuesday. 

A graduate of UC Irvine, Alma has worked in state government, most recently as district director for State Sen. Tony Mendoza. She also was a field representative for State Sen. Roderick Wright. 

In addition to Marquez, the final list of candidates for District 1 (south Downey) includes attorney Blanca Pacheco and assistant principal Hector Lujan. 

Pacheco is an attorney specializing in living trusts, probate and eviction cases. She was president of Downey Kiwanis Club last year. 

Lujan is vice principal at Paramount Adult School and is a Downey Planning Commissioner, appointed by Luis Marquez. He is past commissioner of Downey AYSO.

District 3

There were no surprise candidates in District 3 (northwest Downey). Candidates include Frine Medrano, Art Montoya, Louis Morales and Rick Rodriguez.

Medrano is a field director for State Sen. Kevin de Leon, while Montoya is a worker safety specialist for Walt Disney Co. Morales operates an economic development consulting firm, and Rodriguez is owner of RMI International, a multinational security firm. 

District 5

Mayor Alex Saab will have competition in his race for re-election. 

Art Gonzalez, a Realtor, filed paperwork to run against Saab. District 5 encompasses the entire city of Downey.