(Marion) — The city of Marion will welcome a new mayor. Voters on Saturday elected Victor Contreras as the new top city official. Contreras received 122 of the votes cast while opponent Kerry Gutierrez received only 59 votes. Contreras will replace current Mayor Bill Seiler.
Contreras, who currently serves as an alderman for the city of Marion, says he’s excited about leading the city forward and is ready to get to work.
“I want to thank all my supporters for the help with the campaign. They’re really sending a message that they want a type of leadership that I can — that is different than we’ve had in the past. But I’m ready to work with the city staff and the departments so we can make our city a place to come to,” said Contreras.
Contreras, who is also known for his many years of service on the Marion ISD Board of Trustees, says he’s committed to investing his leadership experience in the city and in the daily lives of its citizens.
“They’re looking for us to have that full-time mayor. Like I said, I was going to be a full-time mayor and I am. They want somebody where they can actually come to them at anytime. I plan on having an office in the city hall so people can come and talk to me. They are the ones that elected me. That’s the way that it should be you know, be very accessible. They are looking for change as far as they know, we have some growth already in the works, but there’s others that are knocking on the door. We have to be able to control that. I think that’s the leadership they wanted,” said Contreras.
Marion voters have also filled the two available seats on the city council. The two top vote getters in the race for alderman were Arthur “Art” Andrews and Shane Pawelek. Andrews led the pack with 84 votes while Pawelek received 75 votes. Wrapping up the race were Yomi Ajasin with 56 votes and Suzanee Upper-Gonzales with 45 votes.
Contreras’ win as mayor now leaves a new vacancy on the city council. That appointment or election will be decided at a later date.
The canvassing of the votes is expected later on this month. Contreras, along with the two new alderman, aren’t expected to officially take office until June.