Despite Grief, City and New Mayor Move Ahead

Sarah Zamora held back tears as Congressman Joe Baca swore her in as the new mayor of Colton on Tuesday night.

The moment was emotional for the new mayor and for those who packed Colton’s council chambers. Sarah had served as the first lady for the City of Colton until July 14, when her husband, David Zamora, then mayor, died possibly from a heart attack.

“It’s been extremely difficult,” Zamora said after taking her husband’s spot on the dais. “I knew David for most of my life. We lived together 40 years.”

God had other plans for her, Zamora told the audience. Tuesday, the widow followed the path created by many women before her, including Rep. Olympia Snowe and Rep. Mary Bono Mack.

Snowe ran for the seat held by her husband, Rep. Peter Snowe, who died in a car crash in 1973, and won. She was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, where she continues to serve. Bono took over the seat held by her husband, singer and actor Sonny Bono, after his death in a 1998 skiing accident.

Zamora is no stranger to politics. She served on the City Council from 2000-04.

In a moment of levity, Congressman Baca told the crowd this was the first time he had sworn in a husband and wife for the same office.

David Zamora was driving to City Hall from his home when authorities said he suffered a heart attack. He had been traveling on La Cadena Road when he lost control of his Ford F-250, made a turn on DeBerry Street and then a U-turn, clipped a curb, sideswiped a pole and then came to a stop, according to coroner’s officials.

City leaders and dignitaries from around the region, many who served on several county boards with David Zamora, were stunned. His funeral drew about 1,400 from cities including Loma Linda, Redlands and San Bernardino.

David Zamora was sworn in December of 2010. Sarah Zamora will serve out the remainder of his four-year term.

“I am committed to this position and to making decisions that benefit our city as a whole,” she told the audience Tuesday.

“I dedicate my term in memory of my husband,” she said.