MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Incumbent City Councilmember Amy Howorth maintained a substantial lead in the race for two seats on the Manhattan Beach City Council early Wednesday, while former Councilmember Richard P. Montgomery widened his advantage over fellow former Councilmember Mark Burton in the closely contested race for second place.
Updated figures from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's Office showed Howorth leading the four-candidate field with 6,395 votes, or 34.5%, followed by Montgomery with 5,512 votes, or 29.7%, and Burton with 5,028 votes, or 27.1%.
Montgomery's lead over Burton increased to 484 votes, up from 446 in Tuesday night's earlier returns, as additional ballots were counted. Former Planning Commissioner Joseph Ungoco remained fourth with 1,616 votes, or 8.7%. The latest figures, updated at 3:11 a.m. Wednesday, showed Howorth holding an 883-vote advantage over Montgomery, with all four candidates retaining their positions from election night.
Although Montgomery gained ground on Burton, the contest for the second council seat remains close, and additional ballot counting could change the standings. The results remain unofficial, with outstanding ballots still to be counted before the winners can be determined.
Manhattan Beach voters were permitted to select up to two candidates in Tuesday's election, with an incumbent, two former council members and a former planning commissioner competing for the available seats.
Howorth is seeking reelection, while Montgomery is hoping to return to the council after serving four terms between 2005 and 2023. Burton, another former council member, served from 2013 to 2017 and previously held the city's rotating mayoral position.
Ungoco previously served two terms on the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission and has run for City Council before.
The two successful candidates will join the city's five-member council, which oversees municipal finances, development, public safety and infrastructure, among other responsibilities.
According to the City of Manhattan Beach's official election calendar, the newly elected council members are scheduled to take the oath of office at the Dec. 15 council meeting.
For now, the closest contest remains between Montgomery and Burton, with fewer than 500 votes separating them as the county continues processing ballots.
Read Patch's Manhattan Beach voter guide for more information about the candidates and local election.
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