Frometa named mayor for third time in split council vote

Claudia M. Frometa delivers Downey’s State of the City address on Oct. 19, 2023. (City of Downey photo)

DOWNEY – The Downey City Council on Tuesday selected Councilwoman Claudia M. Frometa to serve as mayor for 2026, marking her third time in the city’s top ceremonial post.

Councilman Horacio Ortiz was chosen to serve as mayor pro tem.

Mayor Pro Tem Dorothy Pemberton declined to step into the position of mayor, a role she was next in line to receive under Downey’s customary rotation.

Instead, Pemberton nominated Frometa, citing the value of experience and the unusual circumstances of Frometa’s previous tenure during the pandemic.

“I feel that experience on the dais is important and we are up here making decisions [that are] always best for the city,” Pemberton said.

She added that Frometa’s 2020 term occurred under unprecedented conditions.

“Her term during Covid is almost a do-over. We had Zoom meetings, we didn’t have in-person meetings; it was very chaotic. It was an unknown time in our city’s history.”

Pemberton made the motion to appoint Frometa as mayor, and Mayor Hector Sosa seconded it. The council approved the motion on a 4–1 vote.

Councilman Mario Trujillo cast the lone dissent, arguing that Downey’s longstanding rotation system should be followed and expressing concern that Pemberton was “selling herself short” by declining the role.