Fresh Data Solidifies Victory in Menlo Park City Council Race

The San Mateo County Elections Office released new Election Day vote tallies on Wednesday, wiping away any shadow of a doubt about who will be on next year’s City Council.

It was a close race in Menlo Park, with five candidates competing for two open seats on the dais. The results of this race will certainly change the political arena in Menlo Park, as Councilmember Andy Cohen terms out. 

Entering the council, if the final counts hold, is Raymond Mueller, with a grand total of 5,841 votes.  Mueller earned 25.46% of the 15,233 ballots cast in Menlo Park.  He motivated 3,613 people to vote by mail and 2,154 people to vote for him in person on Election Day.  

Mueller will likely be joined by Catherine Carlton, who had 5,530 total votes as of Wednesday night. With 3,281 people voting for her on Election Day and 3,191 constituents casting their ballot for her by mail, Carlton had 24.11% of the vote. 

The 2012 race exemplifies why each vote makes a difference in local elections.  Carlton squeaked by Incumbent Kelly Fergusson to victory with only 235 votes. Fergusson had 23.08% of the votes.  Her term will conclude this month.

Carolyn Clarke had a grand total of 3,475 votes, while Dave Bragg had 2,798 votes.

In Atherton, Incumbent Elizabeth Lewis retained her lead in the City Council race with 36.32% of the vote.  A grand total of 2,270 people voted for her.  

Cary Wiest will likely join her on the dais; he had 1,553 votes total.

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