Brenda Leal has a commanding lead in the special election for the Martinez Unified School District, Trustee Area 3 seat.
According to election results, Leal has received 73.13% (596 votes) of the vote. While Brittany Ayala has just 26.87% (219 votes). The results are as of 8:00 pm Wednesday.
Leal has been a teacher and leader within the District throughout her 36 year career as well as a labor leader with Martinez Education Association, while advocating for both students and teachers. Here goals included:
- Ensures support & safety for underserved students
- Understands the inner workings of Measure O and its importance to MUSD
- College & Career Pathways for every students
Although the Martinez School Board unanimously appointed Ayala, residents were not happy with the selection and began to circulate a petition. On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, after a petition calling for a special election was deemed legally sufficient by Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey. This created the special election.
According to California Education Code Section 5091, the petition needed signatures from 1.5 percent of the 4,182 registered voters in Martinez Unified School District Area 3. Of the 135 signatures submitted by the petitioners, the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department verified 126, surpassing the 63 necessary to force a special election.
In response, protesters held a rally in support of Ayala in an effort to say no to a “racist” special election.
The county will continue to county ballots and a final result will be posted in the coming weeks. Next Results Expected: Friday, 6/20/2025, 3:00PM
Previous:
- March 14 – Martinez: Protesters Say No to “Racist” Special Election
- March 4 – Special Mail-in Election to Fill Martinez Unified Area 3 Board Seat Set for June 17
