Two Hollywood Park residents withdrew their names from the May 7 local election ballot with one withdrawal resulting in an uncontested mayoral race.

According to City Secretary Patrick Aten, engineer Chester Drash was declared ineligible as he did not meet residency requirements, leaving Place 1 Council Member Sean Moore the lone applicant for mayor.

Mayor Oscar Villarreal did not file for the election. Villarreal was appointed to the city’s top elected office by fellow council members following Chris Murphy’s resignation as mayor in early 2021. Moore was elected to the council in 2021.

The city said a second contestant, Dale Randol, departed the race for council Place 2.

Michael Hall and Todd Kounse are still on the ballot, vying to succeed longtime Council Member Debbie Trueman, who did not file for re-election, local officials said.



Place 4 Council Member Delaine Hall did not file for another term. Only Wendy Gonzalez applied for Place 4.

Hollywood Park residents will also be asked to reauthorize part of a local sales tax that helps to fund regular road maintenance, the city said.

The city and the Hollywood Park Community Association both said they are arranging a “meet the candidates” event for April 4 at Voigt Center, 701 El Portal Drive.

Early voting will be held April 25 to May 3. The April edition of Community Impact Newspaper will contain a guide to area May 7 elections.