Turlock Mayor John Lazar announced Monday he will not seek re-election this November due to family and business obligations.
Lazar, 55, has served two terms as Mayor of Turlock and as a member of the Turlock City Council for 14 years.
“For 22 years I have worked hard to make out city a better place. My eight years as mayor will be cherished,” he wrote in a statement to Turlockcitynews.com. “Being Turlock"s Mayor is a full-time job. But I have another job also, and, as a husband and father, even more important obligations. It is now time for me to focus more on my family and my job. I love Turlock, and will always support our city, but for a few years I need to spend less time on city issues, and more on family and business.”
Lazar says the time as mayor was marked by accomplishments, such as the Carnegie Arts Center, the Blue Diamond Plant, the Public Safety Center and “continued first rate city services for Turlock residents.”
With Lazar out of the race for mayor that leaves Gary Soiseth, a third generation family farmer and almond grower, as the only confirmed candidate in the race at this time.
Soiseth issued a brief statement via Facebook.
"I wish John well and congratulate him on over two decades of service to our city. This race is about the future of Turlock, and I believe I have a clear and bold vision for our community. I look forward to running a strong campaign and having a healthy debate on the issues."
Lazar thanked his family, friends and supporters for their loyalty.
“It has been a privileged serving the citizens of Turlock. Current city obligations on a daily basis occupy a great portion of my day,” Lazar wrote. “At the forefront of these are discussions on an initiative to fix Turlock's aging streets, the presentation of a citywide district election system, and on-going consideration of a regional water plan. I will see these through for the year…. but will not file for re-election this August.”
Related Article:
Gary Soiseth to Run for Turlock Mayor
The Turlock Journal erroneously reported that John Lazar was running for Turlock Mayor. Since the Modesto Bee and Turlockcitynews both reported that he’s not then I don’t believe the Urinal any longer.
Lazar saw Soiseth had all the support including people who once supported him like Curt Andre and Jeani Ferrari.
He made a smart move admitting defeat now. He would have been smarter though if he didn’t announce to the Journal that he was running just last week.
a real estate agent should never be mayor he has been making money off of back room deals for two decades
Good! Good for Gary too!
Are there any other candidates for mayor or council that Turlock City News knows of? Why did John Lazar drop out so suddenly?
Looks like councilman Nascimento chose to align himself with a Mayor Lazar prematurely. What will councilman Forrest White do now? If he leaves then Nascimento will be the only Democrat on the Council.
What is Amy Bublak running for? I saw a election sign but her seat isn’t up until 2016 I thought.
Thank you John for your many years of service. You have done so much for the community. What park are we naming after you?
Where is Shorty Nascimento going to get support now? Maybe the Nutjob Jackson will get on council for added support. How about Forrest? Will he run?
Great news!
@Guest – erroneous report, Ya man I was also confused when I heard the news but after looking over the copy of the journal with the article (printed 03-12-14…ha wow just about two weeks later changes mind. good to see the mayor we’ve had for past 8 years is great at making and keeping with decisions. ) anyway seems like the mayor was seeking reelection for a minute, apparently he had filed the papers of intent to seek reelection with the county election office. so i think he might have got scared or worried after that other guy (the farmer) announced he was running against him a week or so later. that guy had the former mayor’s support anyway and said that the younger generation should take over, so maybe lazar just thought that was true, who knows. idk why he would announce reelection and do an interview that says all the things he wanted to accomplish in another term, only to back out when another candidate steps up to plate, clearly was very dedicated to those plans…maybe it was because he thought nobody was gonna run and thought he had to? hahaha that sure would of been funny headline to see here, “turlock mayoral race: 0 candidates” complete anarchy. good luck to soiseth, wonder if someone else will pop up now outta the woodwork.
Lazar didnt want any mud slinging as he has some stuff in the closet he doesnt want out.
April Fools! And Trader Joes and Whole Foods and Bowling Alley has to be a April Fools Joke Also!!
Or maybe he just wants to spend time with his family, like he says. Did anyone ever consider that? Geez…
I don’t care the reason why he isn’t seeking another term, I’m just glad he isn’t!! Finally some good news!! He was a horrible mayor!!
What a sad state of Turlock politics. This website is one of the main problems. Who cares what curt andre thinks. He is a vindictive (*edited by tcn), whom I believe is so, so, so jealous of John Lazar. Put andre’s ego the size of Texas down and let me make it clear, andre does not, has not, ever, spoke for me or “our” generation. curt andre might be finished, thank God, with politics, but John Lazar isn’t and should not be.