Democrat Robert Rivas and Republican Neil Kitchens head for Assembly runoff in November.

It was easy to find the election night party for Assembly District 30 Republican candidate Neil G. Kitchens in the foothills of Prunedale: Red, white and blue balloons emblazoned with “MAGA” (President Donald Trump’s slogan, Make America Great Again) festooned a gate leading to a small pasture next to his ranch home. A patio in back featured a potluck spread. His banner reads, “Rancher. Businessman. Conservative.” Around 50 supporters gathered on the patio, around the dining room table and inside the family room watching Fox News on the TV.

The crowd was buoyant when the first results, announced just after 8pm June 5, showed Kitchens – the lone Republican in a field of five candidates – appeared in the number-two spot behind San Benito Supervisor Robert Rivas. By 11:30pm, Rivas had 44 percent of the vote to Kitchens’ 32 percent, according to the California Secretary of State. The nearest competitor was Peter Leroe-Muñoz with 10.5 percent, followed by Trina Coffman-Gomez at 7.4 percent. Bill Lipe was in last place with 6 percent. (The top two vote-getters face off in November.)

The seat is open with Assemblymember Anna Caballero, D-Salinas, terming out; she led the way Tuesday night with 42 percent of the vote in a race for State Senate.

In Hollister, Rivas says the room was packed with about 150 supporters at Paine’s Restaurant and Bar. “I was very proud to share this moment with the people who made this victory possible,” he says.

Both candidates say in the next five months they will campaign on providing more affordable housing, but they veer along party lines. Kitchens’ other issues include addressing crime, lowering taxes and reducing regulations. Rivas’ talking points include college affordability, health care and fixing crumbling infrastructure.