DEMOCRATS PICK UP SEAT ON LEMON GROVE COUNCIL

By Miriam Raftery

Updated November 5, 2014 (Lemon Grove)--Democratic challenger Jennifer Mendoza has ousted incumbent Councilman Howard Cook, a Republican, to increase Democratic control on Lemon Grove's Council.  Jerry Jones, an incumbent who is also a Democrat, also won reelection. Though officially a nonpartisan race, the political parties threw their weight behind candidates in the race.

Chair of the city's Planning Commission, Mendoza is also a paralegal and as a board member of the Soroptomists, Boy Scouts, PTA, and other community groups. She has made street repairs her number one goal if elected.

Jones, also a Democrat, had the most votes with 25.20%, followed by Mendoza with 24.54%.  Mendoza will join Democrats Raquel Vasquez and Mayor Mary Sesson on the Council, making a majority that is both Democratic and female.

Challenger Stephen Browne took 19.36% of the vote, followed by Cook with 19.23% and Anna Sessom Baker, daugher of Mayor Mary Sessom, had 11.67%.