23,000 ballots still left to be counted, final count to be done before Thanksgiving

By Allen Payton

As of the update of the vote count at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2014, the County Elections website showed the results of Tuesday night’s election were confirmed in the Antioch City Council, Measure O and County School Board races.

Lori Ogorchock expanded her lead over appointed Councilman Tony Tiscareno for a total of 5,946 votes or 23.48% to 5,619 or 22.19%, who expanded his lead over third-place finisher, Antioch School Board Trustee Diane Gibson-Gray who had 5,1522 votes or 20.34% of the vote.

“I’m excited. I’m thrilled. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” Ogorchock said after hearing the news of the results. “I want to thank everyone who voted for me. I have listened to what you’ve said. And I want those on my committee, Mary and Bill Chapman, Gary and Brenda Gorbal, Bob Lyles and last but not least, Kristen Vistali. Special thanks to my family for their support, and especially my husband and stood by me.”

Tiscareno, who was in the middle of celebrating at a restaurant when reached for comment, said his election was a confirmation of his appointment by the city council in 2012.

“It validates their belief in me and the people spoke,” he said. “I feel good about it. I’m honored to be elected, instead of appointed. It was a hard fought battle, but a clean campaign as far as candidates were concerned. I want to thank all of the candidates and congratulate Lori and thank Diane especially for running a nice race, as well, because we were neck and neck.

“I look forward to serving our community,” he added.

At a ribbon cutting for the new 420 Bar & Grill in downtown Antioch, on Thursday evening, Gibson-Gray said she was resolved to remaining on the school board and thought it was probably a good thing, with the recent loss of two other incumbents, Joy Motts and Gary Hack in Tuesday’s election.

Measure O passed and the yes votes increased over the no votes, by 7,867 to 7,436 votes, more than the 180 votes difference at the end of the counting on Tuesday night.

Reached for comment, Yes on Measure O committee Chairman Don Freitas said about winning by 431 votes, with a laugh, “In this case that is a huge, huge victory.”

“It feels great that the good guys finally won. I’m just happy for Antioch,” Freitas added. “By conventional political wisdom we should have lost miserably when a $200,000 campaign of lies, half-truths and distortions, was spent against you.”

“The people saw through all the out-of-town special interest money and voted for Antioch,” he stated. “This started as a citizens initiative and ended as one. It was a David vs. Goliath fight. It wasn’t right that most businesses in Antioch paid a business license fee and residential rental property owners didn’t. It feels great to be on the right side and have the community support us.”

“After two years of meetings between the Friday Morning Breakfast Club and representatives of the California Apartment Association and the Delta Association of Realtors, they never, ever offered an alternative,” Freitas said. “All they said was ‘no’.”

“It was a long, long tortuous journey,” he said with a sigh of relief.

In the contentious Area 5 County School Board race, Jeff Belle’s lead over Cynthia Ruehlig decreased, but he held on to win by 336 votes, with 12,991 votes or 50.27% versus 12,655 votes or 48.97% of the vote.

Also, in the Area 4 County School Board race, in which Antioch resident Richard Asadoorian was seeking reelection, Mike Maxwell increased his lead to 2,253 votes to win the seat.

There were a total of 236,727 ballots cast that have been counted, out of 527,521 registered voters in the county, for a 44.88% voter turnout, Tuesday night.

However, there are still votes left to be counted, according to County Clerk-Recorder Joe Canciamilla.

“There are 13,000 provisional ballots and 10,000 exceptions, which are ballots that are damaged and the machine can’t count them, or they’re somehow spoiled otherwise, that all have to be hand-processed,” he said. “But, I don’t expect anything to change in those races. They’ll be divided up pretty much the same.”

“Not every ballot that we have will apply to every race. Because a lot of the ballots, we pulled both pages, even though only one page had a question,” Canciamilla added. “Not every provisional ballot will be counted, because people voted where they aren’t registered or they voted by mail and forgot and voted at the polls.”

“We will issue a report a week from the day, and another one the following Friday,” he said. “We have until December 2nd  to certify the results, but we’ll certify before Thanksgiving.”

For complete results visit www.cocovote.us.

LATEST RESULTS

Antioch City Council Election

LORI OGORCHOCK 5,946 23.48%

TONY G TISCARENO ( I ) 5,619 22.19%

DIANE GIBSON-GRAY 5,152 20.34%

LAMAR THORPE 4,398 17.37%

ANTHONY SEGOVIA 1,866 7.37%

KARL DIETZEL 825 3.26%

JEFFREY HALL-COTTRELL 752 2.97%

STEVEN BADO 625 2.47%

WRITE-IN 142 0.56%

 

Measure O

Yes 7,867 51.41%

No 7,436 48.59%

Total 15,303

County School Board – Area 5

CYNTHIA TEVES RUEHLIG 12,655 48.97%

JEFF BELLE 12,991 50.27%

WRITE-IN 194 0.75%

Total 25,840

County School Board – Area 4

RICHARD ASADOORIAN ( I ) 19,494 47.04%

MIKE MAXWELL 21,747 52.47%

WRITE-IN 203 0.49%

Total 41,444

DeSaulnier’s election to Congress begins possible game of political dominoes

By Allen Payton

With State Senator Mark DeSaulnier’s victory Tuesday night in the Congressional election for District 11, he will now have to vacate his seat in the California Senate. In light of this, Governor Jerry Brown will soon be calling for a special election for California State Senate District 7, which will occur early next year.

Mark Meuser, a local attorney, has announced that he will be running for the open seat in the upcoming special election. He was the Republican nominee who ran and lost to DeSaulnier in the 2012 election. Senate District 7 (SD7) covers most of Contra Costa and Alameda counties, east of the Berkeley hills, and includes all of Antioch.

In addition to the special election in SD7, there will also be special elections held in SD21 and SD37, which are both in southern California, due to those Senators also being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Meuser, whose law firm focuses on civil litigation for both individuals and small businesses, said in a news release on Friday, November 7, “that his priority is to insure that your future, your children’s future, and California’s future is bright. The spirit of entrepreneurs in California is as strong today as it was during the gold rush. It needs an advocate in Sacramento, and Meuser wants to be that advocate. Ensuring that our communities stay strong—and grow stronger—requires a long-term vision for future generations, and Meuser has that vision. It is time to elect a representative to Sacramento who will fight for the citizens of Contra Costa and Alameda counties.”

In addition to Meuser, Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, a Democrat, who was just re-elected to her third and final term, said she’s in.

“Yes, I will be running for the Senate seat,” she stated in an interview, today. “I had planned to run in 2016 and everything was accelerated due to George Miller’s retirement. We’re just in the beginning stages of developing the campaign.”

Miller decided to not run for reelection to Congress, this year, triggering DeSaulnier’s run for the seat.

When asked why she wanted to be in the State Senate, Bonilla replied “I really love my job and have seen the difference that can be made in Sacramento. I feel I’ve developed a level of experience to serve my constituency affectively and would be honored to continue that service as a State Senator.”

A former teacher, Bonilla served on the Concord City Council and as a member of the County Board of Supervisors before being elected to the State Assembly in 2012.

The process will be triggered by DeSaulnier’s resignation, which is expected before January 5, that day he is scheduled to take the oath of office as a new Congressman.

The governor will then have two weeks to announce the date of the election, which is expected to be in mid- to late-March for the Primary. In a special election a candidate wins if they receive a majority of votes. If not the top two candidates with the most votes in the Primary will face off in the General Election in June.

A state senate district includes roughly 800,000 people, which is larger than a Congressional seat and Senators are elected for four-year terms. With the new term limits, state legislators in California can serve a maximum of 12 years, regardless of whether they serve in the Assembly or State Senate. However, because Bonilla was elected before June 5, 2012 she is restricted by the previous term limits, approved in 1990, which limited legislators to three terms in the State Assembly and two terms in the State Senate. Since the election will be past the half-way point in DeSaulnier’s term, if elected, she will serve less than two years, allowing her two more full terms for a total of close to 10 years. The same would apply to Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, who is termed out this year, and is also rumored to be considering a run for the Senate seat. She did not respond to phone calls for this story.

“It’s not just about hanging around for more years, but using the knowledge and influence you gain to really serve the residents of Contra Costa more effectively,” Bonilla said. “If you don’t have experience, you don’t get assigned to be chair of a committee.”

She said she would stay in the Senate the entire time, if elected and re-elected and doesn’t want to be a career politician.

“I won’t be using this as a stepping stone to higher office,” she added.

Others whose names have been floated included Republicans District Attorney Mark Peterson, County Supervisors Mary Piepho and Candace Anderson, and Catharine Baker, who was just elected to replace Buchanan in the Assembly in the 16^th District on Tuesday night, was also floated as a possible candidate. But, Peterson stated recently he’s not interested in running for the seat.

Anderson’s whose star just rose with her vote against the 33% pay raise the Board of Supervisors gave themselves, two weeks ago, is also out.

“No I’m not running for Senate,” she said, today. “There’s a lot of work to be done in the county. I enjoy the breadth of issues I’m working on and am committed to this position.”

Another name put forward was Orinda City Councilman Steve Glazer, a Democrat, who ran for State Assembly, this year, also in the 16^th District, but wasn’t one of the top two winners to make it to the General Election.

Piepho, Baker and Glazer also did not respond to attempts to reach them for this story.

If Bonilla is elected to the seat, then a special election would have to be held for the remainder of her two-year term in the Assembly. If Piepho were to be elected, the Governor would be able to appoint her replacement for the time remaining of her term on the Board of Supervisors, which is in 2016, as well.

Voters will soon see if the game of political dominoes continues.

Check back for updates to this story.

 

By Allen Payton

According to the Contra Costa County Elections Office, as of 1:30 p.m., today, there were still 95,000 ballots left to be counted in the county. Those could affect the outcomes of close races, like Measure O, which is leading by just 180 votes and the County Board of Education race in Area 5, where Jeff Belle leads Cynthia Ruehlig by just 464 votes, or 2.59%.

In response to learning the news, Belle said by email “As far as I’m concerned, it’s done. No more comments.”

The uncounted ballots might also affect the outcome of the Antioch City Council race, where Lori Ogorchock, who is in first place, is leading appointed Councilmember Tony Tiscareno by just 267 votes or 1.59%, and he is leading current third-place finisher, Antioch School Board Member Diane Gibson-Gray by just 229 votes or 1.37%.

A total of 158,443 ballots have been counted and those are the ones reflected in the unofficial results posted on the County Elections website. That figure does not include the additional uncounted ballots. So only 62.5% of the total 253,443 ballots cast in the election have been counted, so far. With 37.5% of the ballots left to be counted, it could change the results of the close elections.

Of the uncounted ballots, 82,000 are vote-by-mail ballots that were turned in at drop boxes throughout the county since Saturday, November 1^st or delivered to the polling places.

The other 13,000 are what are known as provisional ballots, which include those by voters who voted in a different polling place than where they are registered to vote, and by vote-by-mail voters who misplaced their ballots.

The next update from the Elections Office will not be until this Friday, November 7 at 5:00 p.m. So those in the close races will have to sit on pins and needles until then. But, all the remaining ballots may not be counted by then. The County Elections Office has 28 days to certify the election.

For all the election results in the county, visit www.cocovote.us.

By Allen Payton

UPDATE 3:30 PM, 11/5/14 – Antioch’s Measure O, which, if passed will implement a business license tax on residential rental property owners, is leading by a slim margin of just 180 votes out of a total 10,236 cast in Tuesday night’s election. Due to 95,000 ballots left to be counted in the county, as of Wednesday, November 5 at 1:30 P.M.

In spite of being outspent $173,000 by the No on Measure O committee to about $13,000, the Yes on O committee succeeded in passing what many of its members had worked on for almost two years.

Committee Chairman Don Freitas was excited about the lead, in early returns, Tuesday night. But wasn’t ready to make any victory comments.

The current numbers are 5,208 votes or 50.88% in favor to 5,028 votes or 49.12% opposed to the measure, which only required a simple majority to pass. The next update from the County Elections Office will be at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 7.

The tax is expected to generate $2.27 million a year for the city.

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

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.

By Allen Payton

Both incumbents in the Antioch School Board race, Joy Motts and Gary Hack, were defeated by challengers Walter Ruehlig and Debra Vinson, Tuesday night.  Ruehlig and Vinson led the other two from the first returns.

“I’m feeling a little nervous,” Vinson said after learning of the early returns. “It’s exciting. But I’m waiting.”

Earlier in the day, Vinson posted the following on her campaign’s Facebook page:

Today I am filled with gratitude. I appreciate all of the volunteers and those who contributed to my campaign to make it successful! It has been an unforgettable experience of sharing, listening, and an incredible opportunity to connect with parents, students and the community. Tomorrow a new chapter will begin and I accept the challenge. Education is the liberator for ALL students. As adults we must never give up on our students because they are the future. The zeitgeist is now!

Ruehlig, who ran for the Antioch City Council in 2012 instead of reelection, took first place in the race with 5,028 votes or 30.27%, with Debra Vinson taking the second of two seats up for election, this year, with 4,668 votes or 28.11%. Motts had 3,426 votes or 20.63% and Hack was close with 3,400 votes or 20.47%. There were 87 write-in votes, although there no officially qualified write-in candidates in the race.

Check back for updates to this story. For complete election results in Antioch and Contra Costa County, visit www.cocovote.us.

 

By Allen Payton

As of the 11:03 p.m. update from the Contra Costa County Elections Office, Lori Ogorchock had pulled into the lead for the two seats for the Antioch City Council, ahead of appointed Councilman Tony Tiscareno, who she had trailed all night. They both were ahead of Antioch School Board Member Diane Gibson-Gray, who was in a strong third place all night, ahead of fourth place candidate Lamar Thorpe.

“I’m just in total suprise,” Ogorchock stated about moving into first place. “It was unexpected. I’m overwhelmed.”

With the votes from 27 of the 49 Antioch precincts counted, Ogorchock had 2,909 votes to Tiscareno’s 2,825, while Gibson-Gray had 2,628 votes and Thorpe trailed the top three with 2,099 votes.

Tiscareno said he would wait until morning to make a comment, since the race was still too close to call.

The other four candidates, Anthony Segovia, Jeffrey Hall-Cottrell, Karl Dietzel and Steven Bado, were far back in the pack.

RESULTS, as of the 12:17 A.M., Wednesday, November 5 update by the County Elections Office:

49 of 49 precincts reporting

Lori Ogorchock – 3,935 votes, 23.47%

Tony Tiscareno – 3,668 votes, 21.88%

Diane Gibson-Gray – 3,439 votes, 20.51%

Lamar Thorpe – 2,792 votes, 16.65%

Anthony Segovia – 1,304 votes, 7.78%

Karl Dietzel – 564 votes, 3.36%

Jeffrey Hall-Cottrell – 530 votes, 3.16%

Steven Bado – 439 votes, 2.62%

Write-In – 97 votes, 0.58%

If her first-place finish holds, Ogorchock will serve as the city’s Mayor Pro Tem for the next two years.

UPDATE 3:40 PM, 11/5/14 – However, as of 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5, the County Elections Office stated they still have 95,000 ballots left to count in the county. That could affect the outcome in this race. The next vote tally update will be provided at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7. For more details, please see the article, here.

Check back for updates. For the latest election results, visit www.cocovote.us.

Committee reports wrong company name

By Allen Payton

According to a required public disclosure financial report, the Sacramento-based No on Measure O committee received a last minute contribution of $5,000 on Monday, November 3 from Tod Spieker, the Property Manager of Spieker Properties, located in Palo Alto.

Spieker owns and manages apartment complexes in Southern California, but not in Antioch.

“The reason I gave that donation was because the California Apartment Association asked me to,” Spieker said in a brief interview, today. “I alott so much money per election cycle to the CAA and they just tell me where to go with it.”

However, the company name on the form was incorrect, as Tod Spieker owns Spieker Company. Spieker said his brother Ned’s company was Spieker Properties, but, he wasn’t aware if it had any real estate interests in Antioch. That company, which was sold in July, 2001, was involved in at least one commercial property in Antioch, specifically Deer Valley Plaza, in the past.

According to his company’s website, Warren E. “Ned” Spieker, Jr. “is the owner of Spieker Senior Development Partners as well as Managing Partner of Spieker Realty Investments. Until the company’s sale in July 2001, Mr. Spieker was Chairman of the Board of Spieker Properties, Inc., a publicly traded (NYSE) real estate investment trust (REIT) with assets in excess of $7.2 billion. Under his leadership, Spieker Properties became one of the largest REITs in the nation and the largest in the West, owning and operating over 42 million square feet of office and industrial space in California and the Pacific Northwest.”

In a brief conversation with David Bower, the committee’s treasurer, when the mistake was pointed out to him, he said he would amend the report, as he was not aware there were two different Spieker companies.

He also stated that the committee had raised $138,000 and also has a loan of $35,000 from the California Apartment Association.

That brings the total contributions and loans to the No on O committee to $173,000.

The election is today. If Measure O passes it will require residential investment property owners pay a business license tax of $125 per year for each multi-family unit or $240 per year for a single family home.

UPDATE: As of 10:25 AM, this morning, the No on Measure O committee had submitted their amended form, showing the correct company name for Tod Spieker.