DOWNEY – With Election Day just two weeks away, the two leading candidates for City Council are making last-minute pitches to Downey voters.

Claudia Frometa and Carrie Uva are the front-runners in the race to replace Fernando Vasquez on the City Council. Vasquez is being termed out after eight years in office.

Vasquez is throwing his support behind Frometa and gave $2,000 to her campaign, carryover from his 2014 re-election bid.

Campaign filings show that Vasquez was one of Frometa’s top donors, along with CalMet Services ($2,000), Best Buy Tire Center ($2,000), 4 Tires Online Inc. ($2,000), psychiatrist Meghrig Stradley ($2,000) and Champion Dodge ($2,000).

Frometa also loaned herself $4,518.

Meanwhile, Uva’s campaign is benefiting by her friends and associates in the real estate industry. Uva is a real estate broker and attorney.

Her largest donations were $1,000, which came from Mel Berdelis, owner of 24 Hour Real Estate; Larry Kooiman, a realtor with Century 21 Home & Investment; and Makram and Nelly Morcos, a retired couple.

Other noteworthy donors to Uva’s campaign include CalMet ($500) and retired judge Joseph DiLoreto ($500). Like Frometa, Uva loaned her campaign $5,000.

The filings cover the period of July 1 through Sept. 11.

Tony Hernandez, the third candidate in the District 4 race, reported no campaign income or expenditures, although his campaign signs are visible throughout the district.

Mayor Sean Ashton, who is running unopposed in District 2, also reported no campaign contributions for the most recent reporting period. His campaign coffers, however, still show an ending cash balance of $12,176.

CAMPAIGN CRITICISM: Ashton is being criticized for appearing to campaign on Uva’s behalf while wearing his official city council polo shirt.

Downey’s municipal code has guidelines on when council members can sport the city logo. Specifically, the code states that the logo can be worn only “in the course and scope of their official duties.”

Downey resident Valerie Aguilar said she was surprised to see Ashton campaign at her home while wearing an official shirt.

“I find it unethical, irresponsible, of poor character and lack of good judgement that [Sean] Ashton, the current mayor, is using his influence and power by wearing his Mayor’s shirt, with the city’s seal, as he walks the neighborhoods, campaigning for Uva,” Aguilar said.

“How irresponsible for him to use his influence to try to potentially sway voters. Shame on him for campaigning while wearing his Mayor’s shirt with the city seal.”

Ashton denied wearing the shirt to Patriot reporter Alex Dominguez, but Aguilar shared photos she said she took of Ashton on the campaign trail.

Downey city attorney Yvette Abich Garcia did not return several messages seeking clarification of the municipal code.

TWO WEEKS AWAY: It’s crunch time for the candidates, who will spend the next two weeks doing all they can to get in front of voters.

”My plan for the next two weeks is to reach out to as many voters as possible and encouraging them to vote,” said Uva.

Frometa has similar plans leading up to Election Day.

“My plans are to continue knocking on doors and contacting residents about my platform, and having as many possible face-to-face contacts,” said Frometa.

“I’m not a career politician, so I didn’t know what to expect, but I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of engagement and outpouring of support,” she said. “I think people can see that I am a genuine individual. I don’t have my hands in other pockets. My interest is pure; I want to move Downey forward.”

ELECTION NIGHT: Frometa said she will monitor the election results from her campaign office at 3rd Street and Downey Avenue.

“I’ll be there all night until we know the results,” she said.

Uva declined to disclose her election night plans.

ENDORSEMENTS: In addition to mayor Ashton, Uva is also endorsed by councilmember Blanca Pacheco, along with former mayors Roger Brossmer and David Gafin.

She’s also gained the support of retired Downey police officer Mike Pope and the Greater Downey Association of Realtors.

Frometa’s endorsements include Vasquez, councilmember Alex Saab, Mayor Pro Tem Rick Rodriguez, and former mayor Mario Guerra.

Frometa is also backed by several members of the Downey board of education, including Martha Sodetani, Bobbi Samperi and Nancy Swenson.

News and notes from the campaign trail