Ruben Abrica and Ofelia Bello lead pack in East Palo Alto council race

Nonprofit leader Ofelia Bello and Council veteran Ruben Abrica took the lead in the East Palo Alto City Council race for two seats, according to early election night results. Seven candidates, including Abrica, Bello, Holifa Windom, Sam Jimenez, Deborah Lewis-Virges, Gail Wilkerson Dixon and Michael Mashack are running to occupy two seats on the council. Council member Martha Barragan opted not to run again and Abrica is an incumbent. The two winners will have the opportunity to shape the future East Palo Alto, which on the precipice of major development that could include the city’s first ever city hall, police headquarters, athletic park and thousands of new units on the westside. Abrica, who began serving the city in the 1980s, garnered 21.2% of the vote and 582 total votes as of 9 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the San Mateo County Registrar of Voters. He expressed gratitude toward voters and excitement over East Palo Alto’s future.

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