Gomez winning fight for second city council seat in El Monte

El Monte City Councilman Juventino "J" Gomez moved into second place in the El Monte City Council race, but fellow incumbent Art Barrios and Planning Commissioner Richard Lam are less than 200 votes behind him, with 85 percent of precincts reporting.

Union-backed candidate Norma Macias has retained her lead in first place, and appears to have secured her seat, with 2,412 votes. Gomez follows with 1,405 votes, followed by Garner with 1,297 votes, Barrios with 1,251 votes, political newcomer Kien Lam, with 1,142 votes, and Angel Ralph Nunez, with 642 votes.

The top two vote getters will win the seats.

In the mayoral race, Andre Quintero, also backed by the city's unions, continues to hold a strong lead on mayor Ernie Gutierrez, 3,129 votes to 1,577 votes.