Seven candidates seek Morgan Hill mayor, City Council seats

The Morgan Hill mayor’s seat and two City Council districts are at stake this November, with all three incumbents seeking reelection in their respective posts.

With the Nov. 3 election less than a month away, Mayor Mark Turner is seeking his third term in office — and first four-year term since the mayoral seat changed from two years to four with the 2024 passing of Measure B. Turner is being challenged by two candidates to unseat him from the at-large position: Deborah Africa and Kristopher Clayton.

Two City Council incumbents are also looking to hold onto their seats in the upcoming election.

In northeast District B, incumbent Yvonne Martinez Beltran — who last month was censured by her colleagues — is looking to retain her spot at the dais against one challenger, Steven Hayes.

In District D, located on the eastern side of the city, incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Librers is being challenged by Dolores Alvarado.

Below is a list of candidates by district, in alphabetical order by last name.

Mayor

City voters elected Turner, a full-time public official, to two-year terms in 2022 and 2024. With Measure B passing last election cycle, this year’s mayoral race will result in a four-year term running through 2030.

Running against Turner is retired nurse Deborah Africa and professional carpenter Kristopher Clayton.

Deborah Africa

Africa, a Morgan Hill resident for more than four decades, said she is running for mayor because the city needs leadership that puts residents first, making decisions based on the community’s long-term health rather than short-term political convenience.

“For too long, many residents have felt that major decisions involving growth, traffic, housing, infrastructure, public safety and city finances move forward without enough meaningful public discussion,” Africa told San José Spotlight. “Residents deserve to understand what is being proposed, how it will affect their neighborhood, what it will cost and what alternatives were considered before decisions are made.”

She said her campaign is focused on three priorities: safe and healthy neighborhoods, transparent and accountable government and responsible growth with real affordability. Africa, who in 1993 was recognized as the Woman of the Year in California State Assembly District 28, has served on the Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Care Commission, the California State and Santa Clara County Democratic central committees and was appointed by former Rep. Anna Eshoo to the 14th Congressional District Health Care Advisory Board.

She points to her 30 years of experience in nursing, public administration, education and advocacy, with experience at Stanford Hospital, as well as hospitals in San Jose, Gilroy, Los Gatos and Humboldt County.

“My campaign is guided by compassion, respect, advocacy, honesty and democratic values,” Africa said. “Local government works best when residents are treated as partners, not obstacles.”

Kristopher Clayton

Clayton grew up in Morgan Hill, graduated from Live Oak High School and is raising his family here. He’s seen the city grow and change over his life and said now is the right time to put his name into the mix for mayor.

“I want to get our finances back on solid ground, protect public safety, get smarter about growth and traffic, support local businesses and make sure Morgan Hill stays a place working families can afford to call home,” Clayton told San José Spotlight. “Most importantly, I want residents to feel like City Hall is listening to them again. I’m not looking to leave office with a list of accomplishments with my name on them. I want to leave Morgan Hill stronger than I found it.”

Clayton’s policy focus includes fiscal responsibility, responsible growth, public safety, roads and infrastructure, supporting working families and local businesses and protecting the city’s character.

He said he brings a different perspective to the council as a lifelong resident, carpenter and small business owner, namely “common sense and a working man’s mindset.” Of his agenda, he points to growth as the biggest concern.

“I’ll address (the) issues by asking tough questions, putting needs before wants, listening to residents and making decisions based on what’s best for Morgan Hill long-term,” he said.

Mark Turner

The incumbent Turner and his wife have lived in Morgan Hill for 33 years, raising three children who have gone through the public school system. Before his election to mayor in 2022, Turner was CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce. He left the chamber to focus on Morgan Hill residents and businesses.

Turner said if reelected, the budget is a top priority for him — generating additional revenue being a must. He said he’s championing sports and recreation, economic development and tourism opportunities.

With companies like Archer Aviation and Heron Power coming to the city, Turner said that will bring as many as 900 new jobs to Morgan Hill, but he said that can’t be the sole focus.

“We need to continue focusing on helping our existing businesses grow and expand their operations here as well,” Turner told San José Spotlight. “With my focus on economic development, and the fine work of the city’s economic development team, we have seen the number of Morgan Hill residents working in Morgan Hill grow from about 28% to over 35%. More Morgan Hill residents working close to home and family.”

Public safety is a byproduct of the community’s continued growth, he said, noting that additional staffing, equipment and training will be required. He said the city needs to find ways of elevating this priority in the budget and could focus some of its efforts to pay for it by capturing revenue from youth sports, which he calls a multibillion-dollar industry. He sees the forthcoming BMX track bringing regional and national events to the city.

“These efforts generate both sales tax and (hotel) tax revenue,” he said. “With all that Morgan Hill has to offer, we can and should become a premier destination for youth sports and recreation.”

City Council races

District B

Incumbent Yvonne Martinez Beltran is wrapping up her second, four-year term serving District B, dating back to 2018. She is being challenged by Steven Hayes, a career firefighter and paramedic.

Yvonne Martinez Beltran

Martinez Beltran is a Morgan Hill lifer, having spent her time living in District B. She holds a master’s degree in urban planning from New York University with a focus in housing and economic development. She said her experience bodes well for what she can do for the city she’s represented for the past eight years, specifically focused on the city’s growth, housing, infrastructure and economic development.

“We have accomplished great work together, but there is much more to do, and complex issues to solve, for Morgan Hill,” Martinez Beltran told San José Spotlight. “I bring technical expertise in urban planning and a working relationship with many regional and state leaders gained through my experience … I want to continue using that experience to build a safe, sustainable, economically strong and well-managed city.”

Martinez Beltran said her top priorities if reelected are implementing data-driven policies, protecting public safety, expanding economic development, investing in sustainable infrastructure and ensuring city operations remain responsive, efficient and accountable to residents.

She said she’s focusing on the city budget while protecting public safety and city services, focusing housing efforts to include a diversity of housing options, improving and planning the city’s infrastructure and ensuring the council continues to build community by engaging with and being accountable to residents with transparency and good governance.

“With a new council coming in, Morgan Hill cannot afford a learning curve,” she said. “We need an experienced leader who already possesses the deep policy knowledge and established regional relationships required to manage all aspects of our city’s future. I have a proven track record of ensuring our residents always have a powerful voice, and I am fully equipped to get things done for us from day one.”

Steven Hayes

Hayes is a fire captain and paramedic in Gilroy who has lived in Morgan Hill for 22 years, the past 14 years in District B. Hayes’ priorities are on public safety, fiscal responsibility, responsible growth, strong parks and public spaces and providing opportunities for Morgan Hill’s youth and working families. Additionally, Hayes said he supports small businesses, investing in infrastructure and protecting the character of the city.

He said the top concern the city is facing is its financial stability, but also pointed to the need to make thoughtful decisions on infrastructure and public safety without feeling rushed.

“I believe local government should focus on the issues that directly affect residents in District B every day and make decisions based on what is best for Morgan Hill,” Hayes told San José Spotlight. “Ultimately, I want to leave Morgan Hill safer, stronger and better positioned for the next generation while protecting the character and sense of community that makes Morgan Hill special.”

Hayes said he has more than 20 years of public service and leadership experience, having spent his career serving the South County community and leading teams in high-pressure situations. He serves as a designee to the California Earthquake Authority Governing Board, spent nearly a decade in union leadership roles, including president of the Gilroy Firefighters Association and the past two years as a statewide leader with the International Association of Fire Fighters.

“These experiences have taught me how to bring people together, negotiate, manage resources, listen to different perspectives and make difficult decisions,” Hayes said. “I would bring that same approach to the Morgan Hill City Council: experienced, collaborative and focused on getting things done for our community.”

District D

Incumbent Marilyn Librers is completing 12 years serving Morgan Hill, from 2008 to 2016 and again in 2022 to the present. The city term limits cap officials to 12 consecutive years, making Librers eligible. The mayor pro tem is being challenged by Dolores Alvarado, division director at the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and CEO of Community Health Partnership.

Dolores Alvarado

For the past 11 years, Alvarado has been CEO of Community Health Partnership, a consortium of federally qualified health centers that provides healthcare to all, regardless of status, throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. A resident of Morgan Hill’s District D for more than three decades, Alvarado has a half-century of experience working with county government and nonprofits on policy and contracts. She said her ability to work across the political aisle for the benefit of city residents is an asset.

“My work as an executive manager taught me to work within complicated systems, budgets and regulations while keeping the community at the center,” she told San José Spotlight. “And to bring departments, partners, nonprofits and residents together on problems that can’t be solved by one agency alone.”

Alvarado supports a range of housing types, but said new projects need to match the city’s street capacity, school routes and existing character, with realistic parking and safety standards. She added that residents should also know what’s planned near them and have a chance to weigh in well in advance.

She said Morgan Hill’s budget must protect parks, recreation, diverse programming and public safety so the city’s financial pressures don’t hollow out daily quality of life. Her platform is focused on transparency for herself and other public officials.

“No matter what the issue is, I believe good government starts with being open and straightforward, because residents deserve to understand what’s happening in their city and to feel like their voices matter in the decisions that affect their neighborhoods,” she said. “Residents shouldn’t have to wait until a decision has already been made, or a problem has grown, to be heard. When people can talk with their councilmember early and in their own neighborhood, they’re more likely to feel informed and respected, and the city can respond.”

Marilyn Librers

Mayor Pro Tem Librers is a retired nonprofit executive who has spent nearly 50 years in Morgan Hill, all in District D. She said as a councilmember, she’s been actively working on projects in District D she intends to see through. Librers also has years of experience on city and county commissions. She said being reelected will allow her to continue to push for local control of housing and build economic development in the city’s industrial parks and downtown, which she stressed is important to help rebuild the city’s budget.

“My experience and wealth of knowledge is beneficial to the entire city of Morgan Hill,” Librers told San José Spotlight, adding that being open and transparent with residents is an important part of her policy. “I will meet with anyone requesting a meeting. It is important for me to hear what the residents have to say and what they are looking for from the elected city council.”

Librers said being a longtime resident makes her more adept at making decisions that benefit the history of the city. Additionally, through her years of service, she has a rolodex of county and state contacts she can work with to get the right answers to residents’ questions.

She said she will focus on providing accessible services within the city for the homeless community and families who need support services. As the city continues to grow, she wants to help manage needed infrastructure improvements, such as police and fire, water, traffic and road repairs.

“I represent the city at all levels in all areas,” she said. “My experience and leadership can be trusted to make my own decisions without the influence of others.”

Contact Giovanni Albanese Jr. at [email protected]