Still the mayor: Araya re-elected in San José mayoral race

San José, (EFE) – San José Mayor Johnny Araya was elected to another term during Costa Rica’s municipal elections Sunday, a day marked by high voter abstention and a clear victory for the ruling National Liberation Party (PLN).

With 78.9 percent of votes counted in the capital, Araya, of the PLN, won 61.8 percent of votes, followed by Gloria Valerín, of the Citizen Action Party (PAC), with 16.2 percent, and Óscar López, of the Accessibility without Exclusion Party (PASE), with 15.6 percent.

San José’s voter absentee rate was even higher than the national average, at 81.7 percent, according to the Supreme Elections Tribunal.

With Sunday’s results, Araya will serve as San José’s mayor until 2016, meaning he will have served as the city’s top official for 25 consecutive years.