Early election returns show two long-time incumbents on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors—Fernando Armenta and Dave Potter—losing their seats to challengers.
In District 5, Mary Adams leads with 57 percent of the vote as of 8:10pm over Potter.
In District 1, Assemblyman Luis Alejo is leading in a three-way race with 46 percent of the vote, over Armenta (with 27 percent of the vote) and Salinas City Councilman Tony Barrera trailing by just 21 votes in third place.
In a three-way race, the top two finishers will go to a runoff in November unless a candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote.
In District 4, early results show County Supervisor Jane Parker easily keeping her seat despite a well-funded challenge from former Salinas mayor Dennis Donohue (58 percent to 36 percent), and CSU Monterey Bay grad Alex Miller trailing with just 6 percent of the vote.
At Armenta's party at his campaign headquarters in the Creekbridge shopping center, the TV was playing America's Got Talent in the background. People didn't say much when the 8:10pm results came in, and Armenta walked outside for some fresh air.
At Adams' party at Wave Street Studios in Monterey, guests milled on a heated patio and celebrated cautiously; Adams says she still remembers Jane Parker's first race for supervisor, when early results showed her losing the election.
Potter was staying upbeat at Cypress Inn in Carmel, despite trailing by a 16-point margin. "It's not over yet," he said. "There are still a lot of votes to be counted."
Parker arrived at her party at The Press Club in Seaside about three minutes after the first results were announced at 8:10, where a crowd cheered her arrival.
"Sometimes campaigns get all about who's better than who, I'm good, you're bad. Fact is, what gets lost is so many people like those in this room working every day on issues that affect quality of life."
At Donohue's party—at his home in Salinas—there was silence immediately after the results came in, followed by a collective grumble of disappointment.
Check back for updates later tonight.
(2) comments
Jane Parker's opponent raised far more $$ and from more well endowed donors and yet Jane stood out at 57% in a 3-way race. She responded to but didn't initiate negative campaigning. In the days since election she has maintained her normal high level of integrity and professionalism, at a time when it would be easy to boast or do otherwise.
Surprising and unsurprising results. Dishonest Parker, Predictable Potter. No one cares about Salinas.
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