LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Preliminary election results indicate Lake County's two members of Congress easily won reelection on Tuesday, with the Assembly, Senate and Board of Equalization seats representing the county also decided.
According to Secretary of State Debra Bowen's office, Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield), who represents the Third Congressional District, and Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena), representing the Fifth Congressional District, had clear margins of victory over their challengers.
In Garamendi's race, with all 488 precincts reporting, Garamendi led with 52.7 percent to Republican Dan Logue's 47.3 percent, Bowen's office reported.
Garamendi thanked the people of the Third Congressional District for their vote of confidence.
“Together, we sent the clear message that Americans in this corner of the country are tired of the partisan gridlock, sick of the extremism, and ready for a Washington built on important issues, mutual respect, and good-faith compromise,” he said.
Garamendi said he was proud of his campaign, which focused on real issues that really matter to Northern California – the need to invest in the infrastructure and research to build the economy, protecting water resources, supporting job creation and keeping college affordable, equal pay for equal work, ensuring seniors can retire with dignity and acting on the climate crisis.
In the Fifth Congressional District, with all 547 precincts reporting, Thompson had 75.4 percent of the vote to the 24.6 percent received by opponent James Hinton of Napa, who registered no party preference.
Thompson, who represents all or parts of Napa, Sonoma, Lake, Solano, and Contra Costa counties, said in a Tuesday night statement that he was honored and humbled by the district's overwhelming support.
“Now that the elections are over, it’s time to move forward – not divided as Republicans and Democrats, but united as Americans – with the common purpose of making sure our country remains a place where everyone who works hard and plays by the rules has the opportunity to get ahead and succeed,” he said.
“That is the work in front of us. It cannot wait and it won’t be achieved through divisiveness. It will be achieved by working together,” Thompson added. “As our district’s representative I am committed to working with anyone from any party to better our country and strengthen the communities I am so privileged to serve.”
In state races, with all 439 precincts in the Fourth Assembly District reporting early Wednesday morning, the race appeared to go to Democrat Bill Dodd.
Dodd, who currently serves on the Napa County Board of Supervisors, took 60.9 percent of the vote to the 39.1 percent received by Republican Charlie Schaupp, based on the preliminary returns.
Dodd had locked up endorsements from a broad spectrum of Lake County leaders, including most members of the Lake County Board of Supervisors, the Lakeport City Council and Lake County Board of Education; the entire Clearlake City Council; District Attorney Don Anderson; Assessor-Recorder Doug Wacker; Superintendent of Schools Wall Holbrook; Superintendent of Schools-Elect Brock Falkenberg; and Sheriff-Elect Brian Martin.
In the State Senate Second District race, Mike McGuire, a Sonoma County supervisor, bested Lawrence Wiesner, 56.7 percent to 43.3 percent, respectively, according to the Secretary of State's Office.
McGuire issued a statement in which he thanked supporters for their efforts and encouragement “throughout our amazing grassroots campaign.”
“Now, we start the hard work of making sure that our values and priorities are at the top of the list when important decisions are made in Sacramento,” he said.
With 98.4 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday, Democrat Fiona Ma was leading the race for the State Board of Equalization's Second District, which covers Lake County, the Secretary of State's Office reported.
Ma had 67.4 percent of the vote in early returns, with Republican James Theis trailing with 32.6 percent.
The race results will become official once the canvass and certification processes by local and state election officials are finalized by early December.
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FALL ELECTION 2014: Congressional, state races decided
- Elizabeth Larson
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