A political newcomer holds a 190-vote lead over an embattled San Jacinto City Council member who sought reelection this November, unofficial election results show. Clarisa Sanchez is leading Councilmember Brian Hawkins, who was arrested in July 2023 on child abuse charges, in the Nov. 5 race for three open seats on the council. The top three vote-getters in the election win seats on the dais. Councilmembers Crystal Ruiz and Phil Ayala currently hold the first- and second-place spots in the race, with Sanchez holding third place. According to unofficial results released Tuesday, Nov. 12, Ruiz was leading with 4,928 votes, followed by Ayala with 4,018 and Sanchez with 3,677. Hawkins was fourth with 3,487 votes, according to Tuesday’s tally. Hawkins, who was elected in 2020, was arrested in July 2023 on suspicion of assaulting two children in a case the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department called “a domestic incident.” He was originally arrested on suspicion of assault on a person causing great bodily injury and committing corporal injury on a child. The District Attorney’s Office later downgraded the charges to two misdemeanor counts of child endangerment. Hawkins pleaded not guilty to those charges in July. A trial is set for Dec. 3. Hawkins also ran as a Republican unsuccessfully against Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Indio, in 2022. Related Articles Local News | Jose Medina now leads Richard Roth in Riverside County supervisor race Local News | 2024 Election: A look at notable results around the Inland Empire Local News | 2024 Election Results: 2 Jurupa school trustees losing; board appoints new member Local News | 2024 Election Results: 2 incumbents, 1 newcomer lead in Moreno Valley City Council races Local News | 2024 Election results: Jessica Alexander ahead in Temecula City Council reelection bid