Ortega new Douglas mayor - UPDATE

By Dispatch Staff

The voters have spoken and Danny Ortega Jr. is Douglas’ new mayor.

Ortega won Douglas’ Mayoral Election Tuesday night beating challenger Danny Morales 1,058 – 360.

Ortega will begin his four year term at the June City Council meeting.

“(I’m) excited,” he said. “I want to thank everyone that voted for me and everyone that voted. I appreciate the support. I’m excited I been working towards this for a long time,” the new Mayor told the Douglas Dispatch after finding out he had won Tuesday night.

When asked how she felt about her husband’s victory, his wife Ann said, “I am so happy so proud I think he’s going to the best mayor. I think he was born to do this. He groomed himself for this his whole life this is going to be great.”

By his part, mayoral candidate Danny Morales heard the election’s result on Tuesday night at City Hall surrounded by his family and close friends.

Morales said Wednesday morning he would like to thank his campaign committee and all those who supported his candidacy by: voting for me, walking the streets, knocking on doors, passing fliers, waving signs, contributing financially, placing yard signs, hanging banners, encouraging people to vote, waving at us, smiling at us, honking their horns and giving them a thumbs up.

Morales said since, according to Douglas’ City Clerk Brenda Aguilar, the final tally will not be known until all the early votes and absentee ballots have been counted which will include votes from all his fellow service members and their families, he will make an elections results announcement when ALL the votes have been counted and validated.

“If the final results do not go in my favor, the People of Douglas can be assured of two things,” he said. “I would have still run if I knew these results ahead of time and I look forward to expanding our positive transformation movement in Douglas. I wish all the candidates and their families God bless and speed. May the Lord grant wisdom to those who assume the mantle of Mayor and Councilperson. In closing, I thank you the People of Douglas for giving me and my family such great opportunities.”

In the race for Ward 3 City Council incumbent Ben LaForge edged out challenger Lynn Kartchner 166-158; Luis Greer defeated Lou Estrada 116-104 for the Ward 5 City Council seat.

Margaret Morales ran unopposed in Ward 1 but still picked up 146 votes.

Comments from the remaining winning and losing candidates will be posted in the coming days.

The Douglas Dispatch will post updated information as it becomes available.