The race to succeed termed-out Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria came to an unexpectedly early end on Tuesday evening.
State Center Community College Trustee Annalisa Perea received 57.51 percent of the vote, gathering the needed majority to avoid a runoff in November.
Advertising consultant Cary Catalano, who trailed Perea in campaign fundraising throughout the 18-month contest, captured 25.2 percent of the vote on Tuesday night.
Former councilman and Assemblymember Mike Briggs and businessman Jeremy Preis garnered 12.14 percent and 5.05 percent of the vote, respectively.
Perea’s victory came as the three incumbent Fresno City Councilmen up for re-election on Tuesday – Miguel Arias, Luis Chavez, and Nelson Esparza – each also captured majorities to win their seats outright for another four-year term.
