Howorth Wins, Montgomery Leads in Early Vote Count
Nov 04, 2026 10:14AM ● By MB News Staff
The first results for the City Council election for Manhattan Beach show current council member Amy Howorth cruising to re-election, with a nearly 1,400-vote lead over the third-place position.
The top two vote-getters in this election will fill council seats for the next four years.
The race for the second seat appeared to be close, with former council members Richard Montgomery and Mark Burton dueling for the position.
For much of election night, Montgomery led Burton by a few hundred votes, with the first full overnight count (as of 3:11am) putting Montgomery up by 484 votes, 5,512 to 5,028.
Joseph Ungoco was in a distant fourth place, at 1,616 votes in the overnight count.
Although the race is still too close for MB News to call, it appeared that Burton conceded the race early Wednesday morning in a post on Facebook, reading, "Congratulations to Amy Howorth and Richard Montgomery. Wishing you the very best on City Council."
Howorth offered a statement regarding the results:
"Thank you, Manhattan Beach. I’m very happy with the results so far and I hope they hold, and I’m truly grateful that a majority of residents put their trust in me to serve again. And as I always say, even if you didn’t vote for me, you’re my constituent and I will work hard for you."
The top two vote-getters in this election will fill council seats for the next four years.
The race for the second seat appeared to be close, with former council members Richard Montgomery and Mark Burton dueling for the position.
For much of election night, Montgomery led Burton by a few hundred votes, with the first full overnight count (as of 3:11am) putting Montgomery up by 484 votes, 5,512 to 5,028.
Joseph Ungoco was in a distant fourth place, at 1,616 votes in the overnight count.
Although the race is still too close for MB News to call, it appeared that Burton conceded the race early Wednesday morning in a post on Facebook, reading, "Congratulations to Amy Howorth and Richard Montgomery. Wishing you the very best on City Council."
Howorth offered a statement regarding the results:
"Thank you, Manhattan Beach. I’m very happy with the results so far and I hope they hold, and I’m truly grateful that a majority of residents put their trust in me to serve again. And as I always say, even if you didn’t vote for me, you’re my constituent and I will work hard for you."
Howorth continued, "I am sure that I’m not the only one who is relieved that this election is over. Campaigning is about highlighting differences between candidates, so voters know who to choose. Serving on Council is about finding consensus for the greatest common good. I am eager to return to that role on behalf of our wonderful city."
