Proponents seeking a recall of Gilroy City Councilmember Rebeca Armendariz turned in 6,375 signatures to the City Clerk’s office on Oct. 12.
The next day, city officials confirmed that a preliminary count of the signatures was above the minimum of 6,217 required for filing. The signatures were taken to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters for verification, which has 30 days to do so.
Proponents of the recall have been gathering signatures since mid-June. They point to a city-commissioned investigation by Hanson Bridgett that concluded Armendariz violated several city ordinances after helping organize a 2021 Halloween party at her residence that ended with the shooting death of two men and injuries to two others. Armendariz was issued 10 administrative citations.
“The overwhelming number of Gilroy residents who have signed this petition clearly sends a strong message to Councilmember Armendariz that the community wants her to step down,” said Kelly Ramirez, spokesperson for the recall effort. “While the few supporters of Armendariz attempt to divide the community claiming this is political and racial, nothing can be further from the truth. The thousands of people who signed the petition represent all political parties and the diversity that makes up Gilroy.”
On Oct. 3, the majority of the council agreed to ask Armendariz to resign if the recall effort against her qualifies for the ballot.
Armendariz said she will not relinquish her seat.
“I didn’t ask for this recall, just like I didn’t ask for that party,” she said during the meeting. “I think the folks who want the recall, as much as I appreciate their engagement in the community and the democratic process, have every right and opportunity to withdraw their petition at any time. That money used for this election, we could use for the unhoused, we could use for the seniors, we could use for our youth.”
In a letter posted to the city’s website, City Clerk Thai Nam Pham wrote that a special election could cost the city up to $2,020,320, according to figures by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters.
Armendariz was first elected in November 2020, with her term set to end in 2024.
“While the few supporters of Armendariz attempt to divide the community claiming this is political and racial,” political and racial? Seriously folks, innocent people were murdered on her property with her blessing at a party she knew was happening where minors were sucking down alcohol. After the recall she needs to be tried as an accessory to murder and then thrown in jail to rot.
I’d toss her comments right back at her. If she decides to take this matter to a vote, SHE will cost the taxpayers over 1 million dollars. The law suits against the city for HER actions that night will further add to that total. Two people died…my God, woman, have the dignity to resign!