Gurpal Samra wins another four years on Livingston council

Longtime politician Gurpal Samra had butterflies in his stomach shortly before the polls closed on Election Day, but it didn’t stop the 54-year-old from winning another four years on the Livingston City Council.

Samra, the city’s mayor pro tem for the last two years, faced opposition from Planning Commissioner Mario Mendoza. Samra was first elected to the council in 1998, later serving two terms as mayor. He took a break from local politics from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2010.

Samra secured about 62 percent of the vote Tuesday with all six precincts reporting. Mendoza, the brother of Councilman David Mendoza, had 37 percent.

Mendoza could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Mayor Rodrigo Espinoza was re-elected Tuesday with no challengers. He earned 92 percent of the vote, with about 8 percent voting for write-in candidates.

Samra expressed relief at his victory Tuesday but said he will work hard to tackle the city’s issues over the next four years.

“I feel good. The easy part is done; now the hard work begins,” Samra told the Sun-Star on Tuesday. “I told people I would work on the water issues, and I’ve got another four years to get that done. Making campaign promises is easy, now I’m going to live up to what I told the people I would do.”

The Livingston City Council race got heated last month when Mario Mendoza accused Espinoza and Samra of circulating a picture of him, posing with several people described by law enforcement officials as known gang members.

Samra also criticized his opponent’s bid for office, saying having two brothers on the Livingston City Council wouldn’t be in the best interest of residents. Samra said it would create a conflict and limit the council’s diversity.

“I would not support my own brother if he ran for office,” Samra said. “I think it gives one family too much control over the City Council.”

Samra said there will be no bad blood with Mario Mendoza and that he’ll continue to work with him as a city official.

Measure R, which would increase the term of the Livingston mayor from two years to four, narrowly failed Tuesday with 52 percent voting “no” on the initiative and 48 percent voting in favor.

This story was originally published November 4, 2014 at 10:19 PM with the headline "Gurpal Samra wins another four years on Livingston council."