Following the closure of the polls at 8pm on Tueday evening, the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters began releaseing tabultions of the local races. All results are tentative but in most cases the trend is clear.
Measure B, which seeks to renew the quater-cent sales tax to provide SMART with revenue for another 30 years, passed handily. It pulled in over 70% of the vote in Sonoma County; only 67% was necessary to win.
The race for 4th district Supervisor to fill the seat being vacated by James Gore is a very close one. All three candidates drew roughly 33% of the vote: Todd Lands with 33.9%, Tom Schwedhelm received 33.1%, and Melanie Bagby 32.9%. Two of these three will be in the November general election to decide the seat.
In CA-2, Congressman Jared Huffman (D) appears headed to a first-round victory, with just over 50% of the vote. If there is a runoff he is likely to face Republican Robin Littau. Similarly, in CA-4, incumbent Mike Thompson is far ahead but may face his Republican Ray Riheli in November for the deciding round.
US Representative in the newly drawn CA-1 showed Mike McGuire pollling 62.35%, with James Gallaher in second place with 27.68%. These are Sonoma County votes only; votes across the wide district show McGuire coming in second place and Gallaher in first, but again there will be a November runoff to determine the winner.
Similarly, in the race for governor, Democrat Xavier Beccera polled almost 31% and Republican Steve Hilton received 19.36% in Sonoma County. Again, statewide results are different but Hilton and Beccera appear likely to compete in the November election.
For updated election information, go to tinyurl.com/435y5h87.
