Fred Strong, Steven Gregory retain Paso Robles City Council seats

Councilmen Fred Strong and Steven Gregory won re-election in Paso Robles on Tuesday, together receiving more than 70 percent of the vote.

Gregory won the most votes with 39.7 percent, followed by Strong with 33.4 percent in the race for two open seats, according to unofficial election results. Kevin Kreowski trailed in third place with 26.4 percent, while write-in candidate Kevin O’Neill took fourth.

Strong entered the race seeking his fourth term, while Gregory, who was appointed to the council after Steve Martin was elected mayor in 2014, hoped voters would elect him this time around.

Kreowski, who lost the 2014 Pismo Beach mayoral election by two votes, was a newcomer vying for a role in Paso Robles city government.

Gang crime, medical and recreational marijuana and water rates were all issues the candidates debated during the course of their campaigns.

Gregory, who received the largest percentage of votes, led the pack in fundraising, taking in a total of about $19,000 in 2016. Strong raised about $6,500 and Kreowski about $1,000 during that time span.

This story was originally published November 8, 2016 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Fred Strong, Steven Gregory retain Paso Robles City Council seats."