Election story

Here it is:

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO -- Preliminary election results show Fred Shorett is all but assured a seat on the City Council.

Shorett, a sales contractor who says he works with the printing industry, was one of four candidates who ran to succeed Neil Derry as the Fourth Ward's council representative.

Of the four candidates, Shorett had by far the most support from San Bernardino's business and political community. He ran on a platform that include city beautification, support for law enforcement and making San Bernardino more attractive to business.

Reached by telephone after the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters released the first round of election results, Shorett said his victory speaks to the support he received from San Bernardino's business figures and that he's eager to to try his hand at making positive change in San Bernardino.

"I'm very, very pleased with the results and we ran a good campaign," Shorett said.
Shorett won more than 73 percent of the more than 3,100 votes tallied for Tuesday night's vote count. Updated totals are not set to be released until around 5 p.m. Thursday.

Joe Arnett, an IT manager, took second place in Tuesday's totals with nearly 20 percent of the vote. He offered his congratulations to the field of candidates and said he plans on staying in touch with city affairs.

"I'm excited about having the opportunity to be involved," he said.

Pharmaceutical company representative John Valdivia collected nearly six percent of the vote. Internet mattress salesman Saman Saman won nearly two percent of the vote.

"I welcome a partnership to work collaboratively with Mr. Shorett, and encourage him to act immediately on the opportunities that exist to better San Bernardino," Valdivia wrote in an election night email.

Saman could not be reached immediately for comment.