Manteca has a new council member.

But whether it has a new sales tax may not be known for days.

Regina Lackey was elected to the City Council to represent the southwest area of Manteca as the Area 2 representative.

Meanwhile, Measure Q — the temporary 20-year three quarter of a cent sales tax — was leading by 131 votes after the last count update on Wednesday.

Measure’s Q after Monday’s tally update was leading by 541 votes.

The current count is at 50.39 percent yes (15,070 votes) and 49.61 percent no (14,839 votes).

The Wednesday update reflects that fact 63.1 percent of all potential voters who could cast ballots have had their ballots tabulated.

That leaves 139,571 of the 378,657 potential voters who may have cast ballots. That said, turnouts much higher than 70 percent tend to be rare.

“I’m very grateful for all of the support,” Lackey said. 

Lackey stressed she was ready to work not just on behalf of the residents of Area 2 but those throughout the city.

“(I) look forward to working with the council and city management for a better future for Manteca,” Lackey added.

Lackey as of Wednesday had 42.89 percent (3,370 votes). Judy Blumhorst was next at 36.69 percent (2,883 votes) followed by Gabriel Galletta at 20.43 percent (1,605 votes).

“I want to thank the hundreds of neighbors I met over the past few months, and the thousands more who voted for me,” Blumhorst said Wednesday as she conceded the race. 

“It's been the experience of a lifetime getting to know so many of my fellow Mantecans.  While the final results did not turn out as I had hoped, I plan to stay involved in helping our city grow and thrive.”

In the San Joaquin Supervisor District 3 race, Lathrop Mayor Sonny Dhaliwal is leading former Manteca Mayor Steve DeBrum by 2,030 votes — 51.96 percent (26,944 votes) to 48.04 percent (24,914 votes).

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com