DOWNEY – Downey City Council elections are still five months away, but potential candidates are already strategizing as they mull possible runs at two open seats. 

Mayor Sean Ashton, elected in 2014, is up for re-election. His District 2 seat covers southwest Downey, roughly south of Firestone Boulevard and west of Brookshire Avenue. 

Councilman Fernando Vasquez is being termed out after eight years on the council. His District 4 seat encompasses neighborhoods north of Stewart and Gray Road and east of Downey Avenue. 

The nomination period opens July 16 and closes August 10, and candidates must live in the district they wish to represent.

In District 2, church pastor Jason Neville said he is considering a run for office. 

“I’m just looking at all the pros and cons to see if it’s something I could fit into my schedule,” said Neville, who leads Praise Chapel Christian Fellowship in Downey. “It’s not something I’ve decided I’m going to do, I’m just thinking about it. I’m not ruling out a possibility.”

Another possible District 2 candidate is Lloyd Vernis, owner of The Pride Barbershop in downtown Downey. Vernis created a logo and campaign website (LloydVernisForDowney.com) but recently admitted to having second thoughts. 

“The reason I decided to take a step back was because the timing wasn’t right,” said Vernis. “Fortunately, we’ve been able to have great success here at the Pride Barbershop and based on that success we’ve opened up the opportunity to expand. We’re currently in the process of actually expanding our second location in Tustin. 

“Me at 32 years old, having my significant other, and my 86-year-old grandmother that I’m a caregiver for, and then my 7-year-old son, and then two businesses and expanding? City council probably won’t fit in the schedule as much as I would like to.”

Ashton, responding to accusations he offered Vernis a seat on the Planning Commission in exchange for sitting out this year’s election, said it was Vernis who requested an appointment to the Planning Commission.

“He mentioned that he wants to be on the planning commission. I told him I’d think about it,” Ashton said. 

Vernis denied making the request. 

“I never reached out to him, I never said anything of that sort. It never happened,” Vernis said. “These are the kind of things that have driven me away from politics, the he-said, she-said. At the end of the day, my goal along with other mentors of mine in office are to do what’s best for the community, that’s it.”

District 4

Without an incumbent, the District 4 seat is guaranteed to be more competitive than in 2014, when Vasquez was re-elected unopposed.  

Realtor and attorney Carrie Uva said she is “seriously considering” a run after encouragement from residents and local business leaders. 

“It has crossed my mind and I’m leaning towards doing it,” said Uva. “I would love to represent my district. I’ve lived in Downey my whole life; I’ve lived nowhere else.” 

Uva earned her bachelor’s of arts degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1987 and a Juris Doctorate degree from Western State University School of Law in 1991. She served as president of the Downey Association of Realtors in 2016.

The name of planning commissioner Matias Flores has been floated as a possible candidate. He didn’t reply to a message seeking comment. 

His brother, Valentin Flores, former executive director of Stay Gallery, is another potential city council aspirant. He deferred comment to a later date.  

Vasquez said he will wait to endorse a candidate until the full slate of contenders emerges this summer.

The election is Nov. 6.

Staff writer Alex Dominguez contributed to this report.