2022 election results: Belt extends lead over Guerrero; Measure C narrowly tops 55%
Voters flocked to polling stations to cast their ballots for who they want to represent them — and their children — on the Visalia Unified school board.
Four of six area seats were up for grabs Tuesday, with nine candidates in the running.
Visalians also decided the fate of Measure C. The multimillion-dollar bond would help the College of the Sequoias establish a University Center in Tulare County.
Looking ahead: What to expect on election night in high-stakes midterm races
Area 1 candidates
Incumbent Walta Gamoian won the election with around 60% votes while Jesse Perez secured around 39% of votes. Despite signs everywhere, the anti-mask, anti-gay candidate couldn't find his rhythm.
Gamoian, also conservative, found success in a more moderate approach to the school board as of late.
"I’m feeling pretty good," Gamoian said Tuesday night. "I'm honored to be able to serve the children of this city."
Walta Gamoian (incumbent): Gamoian was born and raised in Selma and attended CSU, Fresno, where she earned her bachelor of arts degree in biology. She worked as a Visalia teacher for 34 years and has served on the school board since 2018.
Jesse Perez: Perez previously served in the military and is currently a Visalia Unified parent.
Area 2 candidates
Adjunct teacher Paul Belt beat out incumbent Juan Guerrero with 50.95% of votes on Election Night, but a recount could be imminent. As of Thursday night, Belt expanded his lead with 100 votes separating the candidates.
Juan Guerrero (incumbent): Guerrero has lived in the Visalia Unified school district since 1978. He was elected to serve on the school board in 2001, 2005, 2013, and 2018 where he serves as board president. He is a grandfather to students within VUSD.
Paul Belt: Belt is an adjunct teacher/trainer at the College of the Sequoias. He is a grandfather to students within Visalia Unified School District and also campaigned as a staunch conservative.
More: Track local election results
Area 4 candidates
Former Superintendent Todd Oto won with 43% of the vote, ousting the appointed incumbent Catalina Blair.
"Our team did a good job getting the word out in our campaign, and I thank the folks who worked for and contributed to the campaign," Oto said. "I’m humbled by this result and am looking forward to working with the Board."
Blair, a former preschool teacher, came in second place with 36%, while Crystal Reynolds has 14% of votes.
"I ran because I felt it was the right thing to do," Blair said. "I will continue to serve our community no matter what."
Catalina Blair (appointed incumbent): Blair was appointed to serve as Visalia Unified's Area 4 trustee after John Crabtree announced his retirement. She has served the district since November 2021 and has three children in the school district.
Crystal Reynolds: Reynolds is a Visalia Unified parent and local dance instructor/business owner. She campaigned on as an anti-mask parent hoping to change systems and policies within VUSD.
Todd Oto: Oto is a lifelong Central Valley resident, born and raised in Fresno. He moved to Visalia when he was hired to teach drafting at Mt. Whitney High School and has lived here for over the last 35 years. Oto eventually made his way up the administration chain as principal and then superintendent before he was forced to resign in May 2019.
Several of the trustees who forced him out remain on the school board, including Gamoian.
Area 6 Candidates
Appointed incumbent Randy Villegas won with around 67% of the vote while Jonelle Murphy secured around 32% of votes.
"We both ran grassroots campaigns and put in the work," Villegas said, discussing the dual effort he and Visalia City Council candidate Emmanuel Soto put in during the midterm elections. "I'm grateful to every volunteer and person that donated and showed up to vote in the pouring rain today."
Randy Villegas (appointed incumbent): Villegas was raised in Bakersfield and currently works as a professor at the College of the Sequoias. He was appointed as the Area 6 trustee in December after former trustee Christopher Pope announced his resignation from the board.
Jonelle Murphy: Murphy is a Visalia Unified parent who recently moved to Tulare County.
Measure C
Election results show 55% of voters support Measure C, while 45% do not. There are still mail-in ballots that could shift the outcome of this one.
Measure C is a $95 million bond that would help fund a University Center, allowing the College of the Sequoias to establish partnerships with four-year universities and provide students with more Bachelor's and Master's Degree programs.
More: College of the Sequoias launches campaign to bring bachelor's, master's programs via Measure C
The University Center would cater to students who received a two-year degree through local community colleges who then opt to stay in the region to complete their Bachelor’s degree.
If approved, the bond will cost School Facility Improvement District #2 (Visalia, Culter-Orosi, Farmersville, Exeter and Woodlake Unified School Districts) property owners around $13 each year per $100,000 of assessed value.
Lauren Jennings covers education and news for the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register. Follow her on Twitter @lolojennings. Get alerts and keep up on all things Tulare County for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Residents vote on Visalia Unified school board, Measure C
