Voters chose one eminent domain state proposition over another
and put Monterey attorney Bill Monning in the Democratic ticket for
state Assembly District 27 during Tuesday’s lackluster
election.
Voters chose one eminent domain state proposition over another and put Monterey attorney Bill Monning in the Democratic ticket for state Assembly District 27 during Tuesday’s lackluster election.
Monning clenched the Democratic candidacy left vacant by termed-out John Laird with 51 percent of votes, or 19,997.
District 27 includes San Martin, Morgan Hill, unincorporated areas northwest of Gilroy, Santa Cruz and Monterey.
In second place was Emily Reilly with 23.9 percent, Barbara Sprenger with 21.5 percent and Stephen Barkalow with 3.6 percent.
Councilman Greg Sellers, who endorsed Sprenger, noted that she carried Santa Clara County with 43.6 percent of the votes in the county.
Sellers said while he thinks Sprenger would be more of an advocate for Morgan Hill, he’s sure Monning will be as well.
Monning will share the ticket with long shots Republican Robert Murray and Libertarian Mark Hinkle, both of Morgan Hill, in the traditionally Democratic district.
The two propositions had to do with eminent domain, or the government’s ability to take property for public purposes.
Proposition 99, a straightforward measure that would ban taking homes for private developments, passed with 62.4 percent of California voters voting yes, according to preliminary counts.
The more stringent Proposition 98, which would have specified that in addition to homes, small businesses, farms and places of worship be protected, and also would have prohibited rent control, failed with “yes” votes making up only 39.1 percent.
Trial attorney Diane Ritchie won Office 8 of the County Superior Court.
Five candidates stated their case for the key to this office of the Santa Clara County Superior Court, left vacant by retiring Judge Ray Cunningham.
Ritchie won with 27 percent of the vote. Superior Court Commissioner Jesus Valencia, deputy district attorney Lane Liroff, Steven Boyarsky each received 18 percent, and county prosecutor Tom Pitsker trailed with 16 percent.
Democrat Jerry McNerney of the 11th Congressional District, which includes Morgan Hill, part of San Martin and unincorporated areas east of Gilroy, was uncontested in the primary election, as was his opponent Republican Dean Andal. The two face a contentious general election.
Democratic incumbent Anna Caballero faced no contenders for the 28th Assembly District, which includes Gilroy, Hollister, unincorporated areas east of Gilroy, San Martin and Morgan Hill to San Jose, Watsonville and Salinas.
Because of the way district lines are drawn, South County residents didn’t face decisions for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors or Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors races.
The general election is Nov. 4.
Primary Election results
State Assembly District 27 – Democratic Party
Candidate Percent # of votes
Bill Monning 51.0 19,997
Emily Reilly 23.9 9,379 
Barbara Sprenger 21.5 8,431
Stephen Barkalow 3.6 1,442 
Proposition 98 Percent # of votes
NO 61.76 111,628
YES 38.24 69,106
Proposition 99 Percent # of votes
YES 68.14% 122,198
NO 31.86% 57,137
Superior Court Office No. 8 2008
Percent # of votes
Diane Ritchie 27.47% 41,429
Jess Valencia 18.81% 28,363
Lane Liroff 18.79% 28,335
Jay Steven Boyarsky 18.17% 27,405
Tim Pitsker 16.75% 25,266
