Milpitas Mayor Carmen Montano is leading the 2024 race by just three points over her closest opponent Councilmember Hon Lien.
Montano was first elected Milpitas mayor in 2022 after serving as vice mayor — making her the first woman mayor in the city’s history. With Milpitas mayors serving two years per term, the 2024 campaign started almost immediately. Montano faced candidates who included Councilmembers Lien and Anthony Phan, as well as community advocate Voltaire Soriben Montemayor who is running for the fifth time as a mayoral candidate. Montano is leading with 36.2% of the vote, Lien in second place with 33.2% of the vote, Phan with 20.6% and Soriben Montemayor with 9.8% as of Wednesday afternoon.
A Milpitas native, Montano oversaw the 70th anniversary of the city’s incorporation earlier this year, highlighting its history of agriculture and industry, as well as recent investments in affordable housing, public safety, transportation and economic development…