Three candidates hold early leads in Tigard's city council race, and all three say they are watching the ballot count closely.
Sue Garino led the eight-candidate field with 17.5% of the vote in preliminary returns, followed by Kate Ristau at 17.2% and Gabriel Elijio Velásquez at 15.8%, as we reported Nov. 5.
Three seats are open. Ballot counting was still underway as of Nov. 4, and the top vote-getters would be sworn in in January if their leads hold.
The remaining five candidates trailed: Yousef K. Allouzi at 13.8%, Tom Anderson at 12.9%, John Goodhouse at 11.9%, Jeff Darland at 7.8% and Shawne Martinez at 2.8%.
Garino, an on-call program development specialist with the Tigard Police Department, has 18 years of experience with the city, including a previous role as a property and evidence specialist.
The Tigard Police Officers' Association endorsed her campaign, citing her nine years on the association's executive board and what it called her commitment to public safety and core city services.
Velásquez, 27, works as a clinic services specialist at Legacy Medical Group.
He said he believes he is tied for the youngest person ever elected to the Tigard City Council, noting that current Councilor Jake Schlack was also 27 when elected in 2024, according to Your Oregon News. Velásquez said the two share the same birthday.
He previously chaired the Tigard Town Center Advisory Commission and served on the Tigard Safe Streets Taskforce.
Ristau is an executive director and former Tigard Library Board chair. She previously worked as a writing instructor and author.
All three shared their policy priorities with Your Oregon News reporter Ray Pitz. Garino pointed to affordability and fiscal responsibility. Velásquez said he wants to focus on affordability, safety and economic mobility. Ristau said she looks forward to engaging council members on hard choices and shaping the budget.
The candidates would take office in January if their leads hold through the final count.
