Montebello Politics
City Council, Elections & Civic Affairs
By-district elections began Nov. 5, 2024 under the map adopted May 11, 2022. Coverage of council action, elections, and public records by John D. Abravanel Berdugo.
City Council Roster
Georgina Tamayo
Mayor
Mayor Georgina Tamayo has called Montebello home since 1987. The daughter of immigrants from Mexico and a Garfield High graduate, she earned a B.A. and pursued graduate studies in Urban Planning at UCLA. With more than two decades in housing and community development, she serves as a Programs Manager with the City of Los Angeles Housing Department. Her priorities include fiscal responsibility, public safety, local businesses, and transparent, accountable governance.
Scarlet Peralta
Councilmember
Councilmember Scarlet Peralta immigrated from Mexico and was raised in Montebello. A Montebello schools graduate and the first in her family to earn a U.S. college degree, she holds a B.A. in Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara and an M.P.P. from UC Irvine. She directs economic-development programs growing bioscience, aerospace, and clean-energy industries. In 2020 she became Montebello's youngest elected official and served as Mayor in 2023.
Salvador Melendez
Councilmember
Councilmember Salvador Melendez serves as President and CEO of a substance-abuse treatment clinic and provides strategic planning and consulting to healthcare agencies. Elected to the City Council in 2018, he has served as Mayor and as Vice-President of the Gateway Cities Affordable Housing Trust, and chairs the Legal and Contract Committee of the California Contract Cities Association. He is a member of the Lions Club of Montebello.
Danielle Romero
Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor Pro Tem Danielle Romero, a U.S. Army veteran and 16-year Montebello resident, served on the city's Traffic and Safety Commission before joining the Council. She works as a Veteran Service Officer for the American Legion Los Angeles County Council and is the first female captain of the Honor Guard for the Montebello American Legion. Her priorities include economic development, open spaces, public safety, and infrastructure.
Ric Alonzo
Councilmember
Councilmember Ric Alonzo was born in Mexico City and raised in Montebello. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and an M.S. in Computer Science and works in aerospace, bringing data-driven, systems-thinking rigor to governance. His policy focus centers on four pillars: public safety, education, economic development, and infrastructure.
Note: Montebello's mayorship rotates among councilmembers. Georgina Tamayo currently serves as Mayor; Danielle Romero serves as Mayor Pro Tem. Full roster: Mayor Georgina Tamayo, Mayor Pro Tem Danielle Romero, and Councilmembers Scarlet Peralta, Ric Alonzo (Dist. 5), and Salvador Melendez. Councilmember names and terms are pulled from the city's official district-elections page and updated each cycle.
Who's Running for What
| Office | Candidates | Election Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Council — District 1 | Georgina Tamayo (inc.) / challengers TBD | Nov 3, 2026 | Filing open |
| City Council — District 4 | Danielle Romero (inc.) / challengers TBD | Nov 3, 2026 | Filing open |
| City Council — District 5 | Ric Alonzo (inc.) / challengers TBD | Nov 3, 2026 | Filing open |
| City Treasurer | David Matanga (inc.) / challengers TBD | Nov 3, 2026 | Filing open |
| MUSD Board (3 seats) | Filings TBD via LA County Registrar | Nov 2026 | Upcoming |
| U.S. House — CA district TBD | Per redistricting — use Find Your Rep | Nov 2026 | Upcoming |
Council & Committee Meetings
Regular City Council Meeting
Mon, Aug 24 · 6:30 PM — Agenda & minutes via City Clerk
Regular City Council Meeting
Mon, Sep 8 · 6:30 PM — Agenda & minutes via City Clerk
Finance Committee
Wed, Sep 10 · 5:30 PM — Special meeting — water rate review