Mueller, Carlton Win Menlo Park City Council Seats

Newcomers Raymond Mueller and Catherine Carlton will fill the two open spots on the Menlo Park City Council.

Incumbent Kelly Fergusson, who gained ground on Carlton all night, fell just short of retaining her seat.

Mueller, a Cal and Hastings Law School grad, was the top vote getter with 4,126 votes while Carlton, a Tulane and London Cass Business School grad, collected 3,996 votes.

He was scheduled to host an Election Night celebration at Trellis Restaurant at 9 p.m. At 10:30 p.m., the restaurant was open but just a solitary figure held court.

Carlton received 1,753 votes on Election Day, the most of any candidate.

Fergusson cut into Carlton's advantage but fell short with 3,748 votes, 248 shy of Carlton.

Carolyn Clarke had 2,406 votes and firefighter Dave Bragg received 2,036.

Mueller had the endorsement of the five San Mateo County supporters, and two city council members in Mayor Kirsten Keith and Rich Cline.

Carlton, formerly the head of the Asia Pacific office of Digital Island, is also a Girl Scout leader and a volunteer at the Vista Center for the Blind.

Fergusson, who raised nearly $15,000 for her campaign, believes in building more homes in Menlo Park, but not as many as the nearly 2,000 that has been proposed.

Clarke and Bragg are both running for the first time. Clarke lives in the Belle Haven area and wants her area to be represented.

Bragg, also a Little League and Pop Warner coach, would like to strengthen public safety and encourage people to shop within the city.

He also supported Atherton's Measure M, which could mean a baseballl field at Holbrook-Palmer Park. The Little League program incorporates both Menlo Park and Atherton.