Business owner Jacob Naven held a 696-vote advantage over incumbent Mayor Gurminder “Gary” Singh in Manteca’s unresolved mayoral election on Monday, Nov. 9. Preliminary figures from the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters showed Naven receiving 51.6% of the vote to Singh’s 48.4%, with 21,914 votes counted in the race.
The county had tallied ballots from 40.3% of its eligible voters by Monday. Neither candidate was declaring an outcome as counting continued. The registrar has said certification will not take place until after 5 p.m. on Nov. 25, leaving the candidates awaiting a final result in the city of about 97,000 residents.
In a Friday social media post, Naven voiced confidence while emphasizing that all votes should be counted before he declared victory. He said hearing every voter mattered more than being first to announce a result. Singh also urged patience in a post last week, when he was narrowing the gap in the count, encouraging supporters to remain hopeful and positive.
The close contest follows a campaign disrupted by several incidents. In late August, two large signs promoting Singh’s candidacy were burned. The destruction prompted concerns that the acts might have been motivated by hate because Singh is a member of Manteca’s Indian community. Singh expressed pride in his heritage and said the apparent arson would not deter his campaign.
Naven denounced the burning of his opponent’s signs and offered to help replace them. Singh, meanwhile, told supporters that destroying a sign bearing his name would not alter his commitment to Manteca.
In September, Singh faced two misdemeanor charges connected to a promotional video by local chiropractor Matthew Alexander. The offer promised a $50 discount on an initial appointment at Alexander Chiropractic and Wellness to people who voted for Singh. The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office charged both men. Alexander promptly rescinded the promotion and said he had not known it violated the law. Singh had endorsed the offer, saying, “It does pay off to vote for your mayor.”
Another incident occurred a week before the Nov. 3 general election, when a social media threat suggested Singh should be shot. Police said they were treating the threat seriously and subsequently identified a suspect. Authorities have neither publicly named that person nor announced an arrest in the case.
With the result still unsettled, both candidates continued to wait for the remaining count and certification. Naven framed that patience as a responsibility to the city, writing last week, “Manteca’s future is worth getting this right.”
