Sosa wins re-election; Uva captures council seat

DOWNEY — Hector Sosa was poised to win re-election and Carrie Uva appeared headed for a seat on the Downey City Council following Tuesday’s election, while Betty Luz Monroy led the race for a Downey Unified school board seat.

The preliminary results gave Sosa more than 61% of the vote in District 2 and put Uva ahead by more than 17 percentage points in District 4. The results remained unofficial, and the number of outstanding ballots in each race was not immediately clear.

Mayor Claudia M. Frometa celebrated the council results, describing them as victories for Sosa and Uva, whom she supported to succeed her in District 4.

“Local elections are about people, not political parties. They are about character, leadership, integrity, community, and the future of the city we call home,” Frometa said. “Tonight, I am absolutely ecstatic for Hector Sosa and Carrie Uva!”

In District 2, Sosa received 2,655 votes, or 61.63%, compared with Maria Zaragoza’s 1,653 votes, or 38.37%. The tally gave Sosa a 1,002-vote advantage.

Uva led the three-candidate District 4 field with 2,473 votes, or 48.74%. Lissette Rivera followed with 1,599 votes, or 31.51%, while Martha Camacho Rodriguez received 1,002 votes, or 19.75%.

Uva’s lead over Rivera stood at 874 votes.

“I am especially proud to have supported the best candidate to succeed me in District 4 and continue the work of moving Downey forward, ethically and professionally,” Frometa said.

Frometa called Sosa and Uva’s apparent victories “a tremendous moment for our community.”

In Downey Unified’s Trustee Area 7, Monroy received 2,076 votes, or 59.26%, while Joseph Manacmul had 1,427 votes, or 40.74%. Monroy’s advantage stood at 649 votes.

The vote totals and margins could change as additional ballots are counted.