Mayor Llanez faces former Mayor Amabile, Councilman Refugio LLamas
By Allen D. Payton, Editor
The candidates for Los Banos City Council, Treasurer and school board are set for the November election. Filing closed on Friday, Aug. 9th and according to the Merced County Clerk’s Office, there are three candidates in the race for mayor including two challengers, and two candidates running in each of the City Council Districts 1 and 4 races, including the incumbents and one challenger each.
In the race for the Los Banos School Board, there are four candidates running for three seats, including one each in Trustee Areas 2 and 6 and two in Area 4, the only contested race this year.
Mayor & Council
In the mayor’s race for the two-year seat, incumbent Paul Llanez will face former Mayor Mike Amabile, owner of Españas Southwest Bar and Grill in Los Banos, and former District 2 Councilman Refugio LLamas, who lost in his 2022 re-election effort to Doug Begonia, who is now facing recall in November.
In the District 1 City Council race, incumbent and local restaurant owner Ken Lambert is running for re-election and will face Retired Lightrail Operator Tommy Leyva.
In the District 4 City Council race, incumbent Deborah Frances Lewis, running for her fourth term, will face Travis “T.J.” Loebig, whose ballot designation is Small Business Owner of Premier Pool and Spa.
City Treasurer
City Treasurer Lucy Maria Lawrence, who was appointed in January 2023, is running unopposed.
School Board
Area 2 incumbent and Merced College Administrator Jessica Moran faces no opposition in her re-election bid.
Area 4 Trustee Gary E. Muñoz is running for re-election and unlike his fellow board members, has an opponent in the November election. He will face Property Manager / Parent Luis M. Castro.
Area 6 incumbent Lori Gattuso, appointed in Nov. 2022 following the passing of school board Trustee Margaret Benton, is running unopposed.
The election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.