In the five-way race for three at-large seats, the winners were Sharon Brown, with 28 percent, Leonard McNeil, 26 percent, and Gomes with 25 percent. Losing were Jerry Sattler, 13 percent and Espo, 8 percent.

Mayor Barbara Vigil, 67, is vacating her seat after three terms and 12 years on the council. The five-member non-partisan council will choose the next mayor from its ranks.

“Sometimes you need to step aside and let in some new blood,” said Vigil, who plans a move to Idaho to be closer to her family. “I’m going to really miss it.”

Gomes, 82, this spring indicated that his current term, ending in November, would be his last. He soon changed his mind.

“Both Joe and I had thought of leaving the council this year,” said Brown, 62, the other incumbent on the ticket. However, she said, the two members not up for re-election this year, Paul Morris and Genoveva Calloway, began serving only in 2002.

“There have to be some more experienced members on the council,” Brown said.

Gomes’ decision to run came after Vigil had already endorsed two new candidates for the three seats.

Both McNeil, 59, who served from 1988 to 1992, the last two years as mayor, and Sattler, 62, a retired marine and businessman who ran unsuccessfully for the council two years ago, claim Vigil’s endorsement.

“They’re both qualified for the job,” Vigil said.

Espo, 50, a crime scene cleaner who is seeking public office for the first time, rounds out the field. (His whole name is Espo.)

The biggest issue facing the council is the proposed Las Vegas-style casino to be built on the site of Casino San Pablo, a card house. The Lytton band of Pomo Indians purchased the land and signed a compact with the governor’s office this summer. The Legislature has yet to ratify the compact.

The city would earn approximately $5 million annually toward its general fund with the casino running.

All five candidates support the casino project, although there are minor differences among them on the issue.

Brown said the 2,500 slot machines currently proposed is too many, although she did not specify how many slots she thinks would be appropriate.

Gomes, a retired traffic manager who has served on the council since 1977, said he is “comfortable” with 2,500 slots.

McNeil said there should be no more than 1,500 slots in the casino. He would also seek to ensure that casino jobs pay “living wage” salaries, between $15 and $17 per hour, instead of the $8 to $10 currently proposed.

Sattler and Espo have both endorsed the casino plan without clarifying their views on the number of slots.

All candidates also support Proposition 1A, which would restrict the state’s ability to reduce city and county tax income without voter approval. In recent years, the state has diminished local governments’ income by lowering taxes and, in some cases, borrowing money from city and county coffers.