Elected officials in California are continuing their normal operations even after voters overwhelmingly recalled them from office.
In a recall election held on April 28 in Avenal, Kings County, the mayor, Alvaro Preciado, and three city council members—Leticia Gamez, David Reynosa, and Pablo Hernandez—were ousted by at least 76% of voters in each case. The Kings County Registrar of Voters certified the results.
The recall movement was driven primarily by voter concerns over transparency and the council’s previous decision to cease contracting with the county fire department. Despite a lawsuit filed by the council members to block the recall, the election proceeded. On June 11, Preciado, Gamez, and Hernandez voted to remain in office, even approving a new city budget while facing a restraining order from recall advocates.
Those officials who stayed in power, including Reynosa, maintain that the recall election was conducted unlawfully by Kings County and without the council’s authorization.
