By Allen Payton

UPDATE, 3:30 p.m., 11/5/14 – Both incumbents on the County School Board in Areas 4 and 5, which include parts of Antioch, appeared to be going to down to defeat in Tuesday night’s election.

Antioch resident Richard Asadoorian trails Mike Maxwell of Danville in Area 4 by 1,712 votes. Maxwell had 14,846 votes or 52.81% of the vote to Asadoorian’s 13,134 votes or 46.72%. There were also 134 write-in votes in the election.

In the Area 5 race, which featured two more Antioch residents, challenger Jeff Belle is leadingf incumbent Cynthia Ruehlig, beating her 9,129 votes or 50.95% to 8,665 votes or 48.36%. There were 122 write-in votes cast in the election.

However, 95,000 ballots are left to be counted in the county, which could affect the outcome of both races, especially the one in Area 5, since it’s so close. The next update from the County Elections Office will be provided on Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m.

Belle had faced questions about his past and education claims during the race, yet was able to overcome the negative news articles about him, to win the race. But, he ran a stronger, more aggressive campaign and was able to garner the endorsement of the California Teacher’s Association, a point Ruehlig made earlier in the evening.

It was a contentious election, starting with a lively candidates forum in September, and continuing with accusations, a confrontation, and an emailed threat of retaliatory campaigning by both Belle and his wife, Carmen, toward both Ruehlig and her husband Walter, who was running for and elected to the Antioch School Board, Tuesday night. The Belles allege Cynthia emailed to others information from Belle’s ex-wife about his past. Walter Ruehlig denied any involvement by Cynthia. But Carmen Belle claims she has proof, but has yet to provide it to Herald staff.

In comments on his Facebook page, following the final election results, Belle posted the following:

“Congratulations to my wife, my anchor in the victory!”

“Many thanks to my supporters and critics. To God be the Glory!”

“To God be the Glory who alone defines me and keeps me in His plan.”

Then, today, Belle said in an email “As far as I’m concerned it’s done. No more comments.”

Check back later for updates to this story. For more information on election results in Contra Costa County visit www.cocovote.us.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 at 2:05 am and is filed under Education, News, Politics & Elections. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.