California: Two Vernon Councilmembers ousted in recall vote

Verrnon City Councilmembers Diana Gonzales (56-23) and Carol Menke (59-20) were ousted in a recall on June 1. Gonzales was replaced by Judith Merlo and Menke was replaced by Crystal Larios. Turnout was reported to be 66%.

The recall effort was over support for a solar and wind project that is proposed by a developer who is accused of stealing $20 million from City Industry, though Gonzales and Menke claim that it is about their challenges to an attempt to put family members of Mayor Leticia Lopez's in city-owned housing. Vernon is similar to the City of Industry and Bell (extremely small cities near L.A. that are seen as industrial and frequently complained about as tightly controlled by a small group of residents).