June 2008 Archives

Pomona Mayor Norma Torres, winner in yesterday's Democratic primary for the 61st Assembly District, said she "felt great" about the result.

"But this is just the beginning," she added. "One down, one to go."

In November's general election, Torres will face Republican Wendy A. Maier, who defeated Benjamin Lopez in yesterday's primary.

"I'm looking at this campaign as I would any other campaign," Torres said. "I'm not taking anything for granted, and I'm going to take it very seriously."

Torres said that she will not be running for re-election in November for the mayoral seat in Pomona. She added that she was going to wait to see who was running before endorsing any mayoral candidate.

She said she hadn't heard who was planning to run for mayor.

"I think everyone and their mother is thinking of running for mayor, but I'm not sure," she said. "I'm not talking to folks about that. I wanted to get through my primary first, and we'll see."

Democratic Congressional candidate Russ Warner today outlined his plans to open two more campaign offices in the district and raise more than $1 million before the November general election.

With his victory in yesterday's primary race, Warner will now challenge longtime incumbent Rep. David Dreier, who has represented the 26th Congressional District since 1980.

Warner says he represents the toughest opponent Dreier has faced since the Republican was first elected. Warner disputed the characterization of his electoral chances by a Republican official as a "pipe dream."

"In November he will lose the privilege to represent himself in Congress, and I will gain the privilege of representing the people in this district," Warner said.

"David Dreier does not represent (his constituents)," Warner added. "He's gone Washington on us."

In a statement delivered this afternoon, Dreier thanked the voters in the district for their support in yesterday's Republican primary.

"I believe this election will be focused on the issues that matter most to the people of the Foothills -- bringing gas prices down, getting the economy growing by cutting and simplifying the tax code, ending illegal immigration and improving our local educational and transportation systems," Dreier said.

Assemblyman John J. Benoit defeated two other candidates yesterday in the Republican primary for the 37th Senate District, a right-leaning district that includes Norco and Corona. Complete Results

A spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee said this morning that the 26th Congressional District, represented since 1980 by Rep. David Dreier, is "really out of reach for the Democrats."

Julie Shutley said a Democratic victory in November is a "pipe dream" for Democratic candidate Russ Warner and his party.

"I think that when you look at both of these people, when you look at what Dreier has accomplished in the district, you couldn't have more of a different choice of candidates," Shutley said.

Warner won the Democratic primary in the 26th district yesterday by a wide margin. He has been campaigning nearly continuously since his defeat in the 2006 primary, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee named Dreier's seat as one that it may target in the general election.

Shutley implied that any cash infusion by the committee would be wasted in the district. "If this is one that they want to target they should go right ahead," she said.

Messages left this morning with Dreier and Warner have not been returned.

Results for 17 judicial contests are available on the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office Web site. Complete Results

Chino Hills Mayor Curt Hagman said in an interview this morning that he is "very pleased and humbled by the amount of support we got."

Hagman defeated Orange County water director Larry Dick in yesterday's Republican primary in the 60th Assembly District.

Hagman will be expected to win in November's general election because the voter registration in the district leans Republican.

"You can never take anything for granted, and I look forward to having a general election strategy ... and to convince the voters of the 60th district that I should be their pick," said Hagman, 43.

Hagman was elected to the Chino Hills City Council four years ago, and has served as mayor since December, he said. For five years preceding his council service he was a member of the city's Parks and Recreation Commission, he said.

Hagman said he was "semi-recruited" to run for City Council, and "kind of recruited to run for the Assembly as well."

If he is elected in November, Hagman said his family will maintain its permanent residence in Chino Hills. He said he would fly up to Sacramento during the week, and then fly home on weekends to be with his family.

Hagman is the owner of Apex Bail Bonds, which has five offices, the largest of which is in Pomona. He said the business will be in good hands with his staff if he ends up spending most of his time in Sacramento. "I don't spend much time there as it is," he said.

Hagman's seat will be one of two on the Chino Hills City Council that will be filled in the November election. Hagman said he had "no idea at this point" who was interested in running for the council or whether he plans to endorse anyone for his seat.

With Curt Hagman's victory in yesterday's Assembly primary, the outgoing Chino Hills mayor's seat on the council will likely be filled by a newcomer.

Two council seats in Chino Hills will be up for grabs in November's election, said Assistant City Clerk Cynthia Winslow. The filing period is July 14 to August 8, she said.

Council members are selected citywide in Chino Hills rather than district-by-district, as is the case in Pomona and other cities. The mayor is appointed internally by council vote, Winslow said.

Corona Mayor Jeff Miller defeated Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Neil C. Blais in yesterday's Republican primary for the 71st Assembly District, which includes Norco.

Miller's victory in November is assured because no other candidate from any other party is on the ballot. Complete Results

Chino Hills Mayor Curt Hagman took a big step forward yesterday in his bid to represent the 60th Assembly District in Sacramento.

Hagman defeated Orange County water director Larry Dick by nearly 20 percentage points in the Republican primary. Complete Results

Harman will face Democrat Diane Singer in November. The 60th Assembly District, which includes Chino Hills, Diamond Bar and San Dimas, leans Republican. Registration Numbers

California voters approved a ballot measure yesterday designed to limit government's eminent domain powers. Prop. 99 received a majority of "yes" votes, while Prop 98, the more restrictive measure, was defeated at the polls. San Jose Mercury News

San Bernardino County Supervisor Dennis Hansberger was defeated at the polls yesterday by San Bernardino Councilman Neil Derry. The race was extremely close, with Derry winning 52 percent to 48 percent. San Bernardino Sun

Elsewhere in the county, supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Josie Gonzales both were re-elected.

In Los Angeles County, supervisors Michael D. Antonovich (Claremont, La Verne, San Dimas) and Don Knabe (Diamond Bar) were both victorious.

Fontana Councilman John Roberts was the winner in yesterday's Republican primary for the 43rd Congressional District, a Democratic district that includes Ontario and Fontana.

Roberts will face incumbent Democratic Rep. Joe Baca, who fought off a primary challenge from Joanne T. Gilbert, a member of the Rialto Unified School Board. Complete Results

Assemblyman Bob Huff more than doubled the vote total of his opponent Dennis Mountjoy in the Republican primary for the 29th Senate District. Complete Results

Huff will face Democrat Joseph M. Lyons in the general election.

Like nearly every other district in the state, the 60th has been gerrymandered by the legislature to heavily favor one party over the other. In the 60th, Republicans outnumber Democrats 196,000 to 149,000.

Los Angeles County: 16.5 percent

San Bernardino County: 16.5 percent

Riverside County: 18.1 percent

Rancho Cucamonga Democrat Russ Warner won overwhelmingly in the primary last night against Cynthia Rodriguez Matthews, the La Verne resident who represented the party in 2004 and 2006. Complete Results

Rep. David Dreier won easily in the Republican primary against challenger Sonny Sardo.

Warner appears to be one of the stronger candidates to challenge Dreier since the Republican was first elected in 1980. But Warner has several things working against him in the general election.

First is the 26th Congressional District's Republican tilt. Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district 147,289 to 120,426. PDF

Dreier's other great advantage is his massive financial war chest. Dreier reported more than $1.8 million cash on hand through May 14, dwarfing Warner's $100,000.

Warner could be aided financially by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in the general election. The committee placed Dreier on its "hit list" of Republican seats it may target in the general election.

Pomona Mayor Norma Torres was victorious yesterday in the Democratic primary for the Assembly seat being vacated by Nell Soto.

Torres received 4,493 votes, or about 47 percent of the total votes cast. That was nearly double the total of the runner-up, Ken White. Complete Results

The winner of the Republican primary was Wendy A. Maier.

The 61st Assembly District, which includes Pomona, Chino and Ontario, tilts heavily Democratic, meaning that a victory is expected in November for Torres. The result all but assures that Torres will not be running for re-election in Pomona this year.

There are 66,311 Democrats registered in the district, and 45,304 registered Republicans. Registration PDF

To get an accurate tally for a given race, simply click on results from all two (or three) counties in a given district and add up the numbers.

Later in the night the California Secretary of State might have multi-county numbers available. But for the earliest returns, it's necessary to check the individual counties.

Here are links to the district-by-district results:

59th Assembly District

It includes Claremont, La Verne and San Dimas.

Republican: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County

Democratic: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County

Libertarian: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County

60th Assembly District

It includes Chino Hills, Diamond Bar and San Dimas.

Republican: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Orange County

Democratic: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Orange County

61st Assembly District

It includes Pomona, Ontario and Chino.

Republican: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County

Democratic: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County

Libertarian: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County

62nd Assembly District

It includes Fontana.

Democratic: San Bernardino County

63rd Assembly District

It includes Rancho Cucamonga, Upland and Fontana.

Republican: San Bernardino County, Riverside County

Democratic: San Bernardino County, Riverside County

66th Assembly District

It includes Jurupa and Mira Loma.

Republican: Riverside County

Democratic: Riverside County

71st Assembly District

It includes Corona and Norco.

Republican: Riverside County, Orange County

To get an accurate tally for a given race, simply click on results from all two (or three) counties in a given district and add up the numbers.

Later in the night the California Secretary of State might have multi-county numbers available. But for the earliest returns, it's necessary to check the individual counties.

Here are links to the district-by-district results:

29th Senate District

It includes Claremont, La Verne, San Dimas, Diamond Bar, Chino and Chino Hills

Republican: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Orange County

Democratic: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Orange County

Libertarian: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Orange County

31st Senate District

It includes Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, and unincorporated Riverside County communities of Glen Avon, Mira Loma, Pedley, Rubidoux and Sunnyslope.

Republican: San Bernardino County, Riverside County

Democratic: San Bernardino County, Riverside County

37th Senate District

It includes Corona and Norco

Republican: Riverside County

Democratic: Riverside County

Because the Inland Valley includes cities in three counties -- Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside -- there are an unusually high number of congressional districts, as well as State Senate and State Assembly districts.

Because of that overlap, political junkies (and journalists) trying to tally up all of the results on election night must refer to and add up numbers from several different counties, including Orange County.

For that reason, the links below might appear confusing, and for that I apologize in advance. To get an accurate tally for a given race, simply click on results from all two (or three) counties in a given district and add up the numbers.

I've been told by several county officials that later in the night the California Secretary of State might have multi-county numbers available. But for the earliest returns, it's necessary to check the individual counties.

Here are links to the district-by-district results:

26th Congressional District

This district hugs the foothills from La Canada Flintridge to Rancho Cucamonga. Locally, it also includes Upland, Montclair, Claremont, La Verne and San Dimas.

Republican: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County

Democratic: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County

Libertarian: Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County

38th Congressional District

This district includes Pomona.

Democratic: Los Angeles County

Libertarian: Los Angeles County

42nd Congressional District

This district includes Diamond Bar, Chino and Chino Hills.

Republican: Los Angles County, Riverside County, Orange County

Democratic: Los Angles County, Riverside County, Orange County

43rd Congressional District

This district includes Ontario and Fontana

Republican: San Bernardino County

Democratic: San Bernardino County

44th Congressional District

This district includes Norco, Corona, and unincorporated Riverside County communities of Glen Avon, Mira Loma, Pedley, Rubidoux and Sunnyslope.

Republican: Riverside County, Orange County

Democratic: Riverside County, Orange County

There are three contests today for seats on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and two of them have local implications.

Supervisor Mike Antonovich's district, the 5th district, covers Claremont, La Verne and San Dimas. He faces a primary challenge from Stephen Mark Hinze, a 30-year-old warehouse worker from Burbank.

Ian Thompson, a campaign spokesman for Hinze, said last week that Hinze is openly campaigning as a member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Here's a direct link to the county results page.

The other race with local implications is in the 4th district, which includes Pomona.

Incumbent Don Knabe is running for re-election against two candidates: Marylou Cabral, another member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation; and Jay Shah, a doctor from Long Beach.

Click here for the results.

This post is the first in what will be a very long series of posts providing direct links to pages with state and local results. Below are some general links to state and county offices that will be reporting vote tallies online as the night proceeds.

California Secretary of State: Results for propositions 98 and 99.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office: Results for county Board of Supervisors, and primaries for the House of Representatives, State Senate and State Assembly.

San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters: Results for primaries for the House of Representatives, State Senate and State Assembly.

Riverside County Registrar of Voters: Results for primaries for the House of Representatives, State Senate and State Assembly.

Orange County Registrar of Voters: Results for primaries for the House of Representatives, State Senate and State Assembly.

Hello readers. Thank you for checking out the new Inland Valley Elections blog.

Because voting returns are expected to come in late tonight in much of the Inland Valley, the vote tallies in Wednesday's newspaper are expected to be incomplete.

In the next few hours I'm going to try to post direct links to specific vote tallies for local races, so this page should hopefully serve as a useful information hub for local races.

Because so many local districts spill over into several different counties, to get a compete vote count for many races it will be necessary to manually add results from multiple counties.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to be in the office around 5 or 6 a.m., posting items to this space about the voting results and hopefully getting in touch with some of today's winners (and losers) to add some context to the results.

If anyone has any questions, comments or news tips please contact me (Will Bigham) directly at (909) 483-8553 or by e-mail at will.bigham@inlandnewspapers.com

Thanks for reading!

Democratic congressional candidate Russ Warner will be holding what his campaign terms an "election night victory party" tonight in Monrovia beginning at 8 p.m., according to a news release.

Warner is again facing La Verne resident Cynthia Rodriguez Matthews in the Democratic primary for the 26th Congressional District. Warner ran in 2006 but lost in the primary to Matthews.

He has been campaigning almost continuously since that primary loss, even retaining several campaign staff members.

The district -- which hugs the foothills from La Canada Flintridge to Rancho Cucamonga -- has been represented by Rep. David Dreier, R-San Dimas, since 1980.

Warner's election night party will be held at the Peach Cafe at 141 E. Colorado Blvd. in Monrovia. Map

Complete Warner press release after the jump:

SAN BERNARDINO - Turnout for today's election has been low, says San Bernardino County Registrar Kari Verjil.

A low turnout was expected for the election of local and state races. "Everything is going extremely well," Verjil said at 9:20 a.m. today.

Registrar officials experienced one problem at a polling place at Everest College in San Bernardino. A poll worker left the boxes filled with paper ballots at her home, Verjil said.

Registrar officials escorted the worker back to her home, and in the meantime, voters used the one electronic voting machine at the polling place.

As of Monday, the Registrar's Office had received about 70,000 absentee ballots, amounting to about 9 percent of the vote. That total should go up after the mail arrives today, Verjil said.

Her office will release its first wave of results at 8:30 p.m., which will consist of the absentee ballots that have been counted. A second round of results will be updated at 11 p.m., followed by a release at 1 a.m. Final results are expected a few hours later, Verjil said.