City Council: Freitas and Collazo Top Vote-Getters

There will be a new face on Newark’s City Council next year, but it's a familiar one to locals.

Longtime Newark resident and business owner Sucy Collazo will join incumbent Councilman Luis Freitas in taking the two open seats on the city council.

Collazo received the highest number of votes, garnering 33 percent of the votes cast. — the sole councilmember seeking re-election — got 32 percent of the votes cast, according to final results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Both Collazo and Freitas expressed excitement about the election.

"I'm excited and happy. ...It's looking good," Freitas said in a brief phone conversation with Patch as he celebrated at a party at the .

Collazo, who was holding a celebration at a private residence, said seeing the results was wonderful.

"We're having the time of our lives," Collazo said. "How can I not be happy about it?"

Collazo will be the first newcomer to join the council since 2007, when outgoing citycouncilman Alberto Huezo was elected. Huezo announced in July that he would not seek re-election.

She has lived in Newark for 40 years and owns the in Old Town. She has been an advocate for public safety, business growth and fiscal responsibility.

The pair was trailed by Mike Bucci, Jack Dane and Rick Bensco, according to results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Bensco is a former owner of a small business on the East Coast. His campaign centered on having an open dialogue about issues important to Newark residents and a focus on strengthening the relationship between the city and the Newark Unified School District.

Bucci, a Newark native, called for a focus on recruiting and retaining local businesses, launching a first-time home buyers' program and addressing public safety issues.

Dane, a tax advisor, has emphasized that his expertise would help Newark at a time when budget cuts are prevalent. His campaign centered around fiscal discipline, gang suppression and finding ways to increase the town’s tax base.

For complete results, click here.