LATE COUNT Sonoma Cunty election workers continue to count ballots a week after polls closed.
Over a week after the June 2 election, some of the races are proving to be tough to call, given California’s month-long window for certifying elections.
In the state race for governor, Xavier Becerra is polling 27.7 % of the vote, Steve Hilton 25.1%, and Tom Steyer 22.4%. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election in November.
In voting for the newly-redrawn US Congress district CA-1, Republican James Gallagher got 48.2%, just short of the majority he’d need to win the seat outright. Democrat Mike McGuire is in second place with 36.3%, followed by fellow Democrat Audrey Denny far behind with 13.8%.
In the old CA-1, Gallagher received 62.2% to win the seat formerly held by Doug LaMalfa; therefor there will be no run-off election in August.
In the CA-2 congressional election, incumbent Jared Huffman has a good lead but not a majority, at 48.8%. He will face a run-off challenge from Republican Robin Littau who managed to get 15% of the vote.
For the fourth district, incumbent Mike Thompson looks to have eluded a November runoff, winning with a narrow 50.37%. Should that total fall below 50%, his nearest competitor is Eric Jones, a fellow Democrat, with 23.8%.
For the State Senate District 2 race, Damon Connolly won outright with 70.2 %. For the State Assembly District 2 race, incumbent Chris Rogers won re-election with 64.9% over Michael Greer’s 35.1%. So there will be no runoff in November for these two seats.
More locally, in the three-way race of 4th District Sonoma County Supervisor to fill the seat vacated by James Gore, the early lead posted by Todd Lands has eroded over time, now putting him in third place with 32.62%. That’s just ahead of Tom Schwedhelm’s 32.79%, but both are falling behind Melanie Bagby’s 34.59%. Still a horse race, and the photo finish is not likely to be announced until all votes are tabulated.
The SMART sales tax extension is still far ahead in the Yes category, with 71.79% compared to 28.21% against.
The results of the June 2 election will be certified state-wide by July 10.