Thirteen residents applied for the job, but only five showed up for the interview.
After questioning a smaller number of applicants than expected, members of the Merced City Council on Tuesday night selected Yang Pao Thao, a current city planning commissioner, to fill the open District 2 seat on the dais at City Hall.
“I grew up in District 2. District 2 raised me. And now it’s time to give back to District 2,” Thao told the Council.
“Some of the priorities I want to focus on are cleaner alleys, street lighting, old roads that can be fixed, and creating cleaner parks and neighborhoods. I would like to see more programs for the youth on the south side of Merced.
“I believe that with my experience, I will be focusing on District 2, and at the same time supporting policies that push the entire city of Merced forward.
“I believe a strong district creates a strong city.”
The District 2 seat — which represents south-southwest Merced — has been empty since Ronnie DeAnda resigned in October due to health issues. Rather than hold a special election, the council decided to appoint a representative to serve out the remainder of DeAnda’s term, which will end in November 2026.
The city sent out a call for applicants, and 13 local residents applied, including some who reside in District 2, and some who do not. The City Attorney had previously clarified that anyone living in Merced can be appointed to the position by the Council, but only District 2 residents can run when the seat is up for a general election in November. During Tuesday night’s interview process, white-clothed tables and chairs were set up in the well below the Council dais, but the five candidates who showed up were surrounded by empty seats.
Among those interviewed alongside Thao were: Jody George, a retiree who served in the Air Force at Castle; Gloria Keene, a former Merced County supervisor; Tommy Tran, a UC Merced lecturer; and Dina Gonzalez, a preschool operator and educator.
They were all given five straight-forward questions about why they wanted the job, what qualities should be looked for in a candidate, what District 2 needs are, why they are the best candidate.
Thao, dressed in a suit and tie, told the Council he had 20 years of experience with nonprofit management, and currently works in the financial industry where he trains people to become entrepreneurs, and educates families about financial literacy. He is listed as the national marketing director for Vantage Financial Alliance. A company listing states that Thao has a Bachelor’s degree in Community Health from Fresno State.
The winning candidate is also a commissioner for the City of Merced, serving on the Planning Commission for District 2. His current term began on July 1, 2022, and was scheduled to end on July 1, 2026.
During the interviews, Thao highlighted his understanding of city staff reports, zoning proposals, and details of contracts and purchasing.
Councilman Shane Smith, who gave the first motion to select Thao, pointed out that Thao was nominated to the Planning Commission position by Councilman DeAnda, the former District 2 representative.
The vote to nominate Thao was 5-1, just moments before a majority of Council members stated they preferred the applicant due to his experience, the details of District 2 infrastructure needs listed in his application, and his ability to work effectively on the Council from the start.
Also, Mayor Matt Serratto, and Council members Sarah Boyle, Mike Harris, Fue Xiong and Darin DuPont all said they preferred an applicant that resides in District 2 and knows the area firsthand. They also noted that applicant Dina Gonzalez fit that bill as well.
Xiong cast the lone NO vote of the night. During the final discussion, Xiong reminded his colleagues that he had wanted a special election to be held. The Councilman did express a preference for Gonzalez as an appointment, saying she had a better understanding of the importance of being an advocate and having a voice in one’s own community.
Before the vote, Councilman Smith added that applicant Gloria Keene was a “compelling” option for his colleagues to consider due to her past experience in local government.
Keene, a former county supervisor, city council member, and a retired real estate agent, told the Council: “I have the time. I have the interest. I have the energy. I have the knowledge. I have the get-up-and-go. If that isn’t good enough. I guess we are all out of luck.”
Keene, who lives outside of District 2, stressed that she could hit the ground running in the job, and then step aside after the seat goes up for election in November of 2026.
There had been some debate in Council discussions on whether the District 2 appointment should go to a person with a “caretaker” role, or someone who might use the appointment as a launching pad to run in the next election.
Now with Thao as the appointee to be sworn in soon … Only time will tell.
In case you are wondering …
Those who applied for the position, but did not show up for Tuesday’s interviews included: Casey Steed, an electrical contractor; Corey Brewer, an MCOE network analyst; Ezekiel Oseguera, a District 2 resident; Fernando Echevarria, a former councilman who was defeated by Ronnie DeAnda in the last Dist. 2 election; Jelili Apalara, a medical doctor; Jeremy Jenkins, an administrative assistant with 4Life Church; Katherine Escobar, a job coach with SEP United; and RoseMarie Campagna, a project manager with Buzz’s Perfection Glass.
