San Benito County Moves Forward with Velazquez Recall Election

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors has voted to move forward with a recall election for District 5 Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez, despite concerns raised by voters regarding the petition process. On November 18, 2023, the board narrowly rejected a petition to certify the recall, deeming it “illegal” due to allegations that signature gatherers misled voters about its purpose.

During a public hearing, several residents reported that paid signature gatherers had claimed the petition aimed to support local firefighters, concealing its true intention to initiate a recall election. This allegation prompted the board to vote 3-2 against the petition’s certification. Board Chair Kollin Kosmicki, along with Velazquez and Supervisor Dom Zanger, asserted that the petition process violated state election law, which prohibits misrepresentation of a petition’s nature.

Despite the board’s ruling, county elections officials are required to schedule a recall election for the June 2, 2026, ballot. The elections office confirmed that the petition submitted in September contained 2,256 signatures, with 1,842 deemed valid, surpassing the necessary threshold of 1,833 signatures, which is equivalent to 25% of registered voters in District 5.

The recall effort was initiated by former Hollister city council members Carol Lenoir and Rick Perez, along with other local advocates. They expressed dissatisfaction with Velazquez’s handling of fire service negotiations with the City of Hollister earlier this year. The campaign initially sought to recall Kosmicki as well but later focused solely on Velazquez.

At the board meeting, voters shared their experiences, emphasizing they would not have signed the petition had they known its true purpose. San Benito County voter Miguel Gomez remarked, “This guy never mentioned to me anything about a recall. I signed it without checking real deep.” He questioned how he could retract his name from the petition.

Supervisor Zanger, who also encountered a canvasser at a local farmers market, indicated that he was aware of the petition’s actual intent and chose not to sign it. He stated, “It was shameful that this happened. I am in no way putting my name behind this dishonest process that took place with this recall.”

In response to the misleading tactics, District Attorney Joel Buckingham noted that presenting petitions under false pretenses could be classified as a misdemeanor under California law. He also confirmed that his office is evaluating claims from approximately 20 voters regarding the signature-gathering process.

The recall proponents have invested over $30,000 in hiring the Santa Cruz-based company Plain Dan Solutions for signature collection. As the situation unfolds, Buckingham’s office will continue its investigation into the alleged misrepresentation, although no legal action has been initiated at this time.

The financial implications of placing the recall on the ballot are estimated to be between $10,000 and $15,000, according to county staff. As the community grapples with these developments, the upcoming election will serve as a critical moment for both Velazquez and the constituents of District 5.