Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
South Valley Assembly Seat Prime for Flipping
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 7 years ago on
June 6, 2018

Share

Republicans should be optimistic about flipping a state Assembly seat representing Kings and Kern counties.
Assembly District 32 might be the Republicans’ best chance to turn a blue seat red come November.
Republican Justin Mendes, a Hanford councilman, is celebrating after garnering a primary win over Democratic incumbent Rudy Salas in District 32. Mendes won 52%, setting up a repeat confrontation in November because of the top-two format.

Candidate Kern County Kings County Total
Justin Mendes (R) 3,953 8,559 52% (12,512)
Rudy Salas (D)* 6,886 4,760 48% (11,646)

What’s clear is that each candidate won their respective home counties handily: Mendes in Kings and Salas in Kern. One question to ask: How might a higher turnout in a general election affect the results?

Mathis Holding On

 


Assemblyman Devon Mathis
It appears that incumbent Devon Mathis will make it into the District 26 run-off. But in this closely contested race, a little more than 500 votes is the difference between moving on or getting primaried.
Mathis has faced plenty of negative news in the past year: a sexual assault investigation that went nowhere, a lawsuit from a former staffer, and backlash over his cap-and-trade vote.
The district covers parts of Inyo, Kern and Tulare counties.

Candidate Votes
Devon Mathis (R)* 30% (10,659)
Jose Sigala (D) 30% (10,457)
Warren Gulber (R) 29% (10,143)
Jack Lavers (R) 12% (4,084)

Other Assembly Rematches Set

In three Valley Assembly districts, only two candidates ran, setting up automatic rematches in November. A look at the races and returns through Wednesday morning:
[Note: totals may not add up to 100% because of write-in votes; * incumbent] District 5 

Candidate Votes
Frank Bigelow (R)* 62% (45,755)
Carla Neal (D) 38% (27,660)

District 21

Candidate Votes
Adam Gray (D)* 100% (23,558)

Note: Gray ran unopposed.
District 23

Candidate Votes
Jim Patterson (R)* 66% (37,427)
Aileen Rizo (D) 35% (19,676)

District 31

Candidate Votes
Joaquin Arambula (D)* 59% (14,457)
Lupe Espinoza (R) 41% (9,951)

Around the State

Only three of the 72 incumbents running for re-election failed to finish first: Salas (see above); and two southern California seats, Republican Chad Mayes in AD 42 and Democrat Sabrina Cervantes in AD 60. All finished in second place and will advance to the November general election. Mayes drew the ire of Republicans for joining with Democrats on cap-and-trade legislation.
Of the eight open Assembly seats, only one will flip for sure. In AD 76, Democrats finished in the top two positions in the seat vacated by Republican Rocky Chavez (who ran unsuccessfully for an open congressional seat).
The remaining seven (including two concurrent special elections held Tuesday night) will likely be retained by the occupying party.
Technically, AD 72 went to a Democrat in a seat currently occupied by a Republican. Josh Lowenthal received the most votes at 37%, yet was the only Democrat in the five-member field. Republicans, including second-place finisher Tyler Diep, gathered the remaining 63%.
Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia in AD 58 finished first in the primary, despite #MeToo allegations that saw her take a leave of absence. She returned once an investigation could not substantiate claims against her.

State Senate

Voters picked the top two in half of the 40 state Senate seats, including two special elections to fill vacancies.

Borgeas Cruises


Andreas Borgeas
Fresno County Supervisor Andreas Borgeas easily won his Senate District 8 primary. The Republican finished with 59% of the vote, and will face a weak Democratic challenger, Paulina Miranda of Fresno, in November.
If Borgeas wins, he would have to resign his supervisorial seat which would create a special election, likely in April 2019.
The winner replaces termed-out Republican Tom Berryhill. Berryhill is the leading vote-getter (42%) in a race for a Stanislaus County supervisor seat.

Candidate Votes
Andreas Borgeas (R) 59% (71,300)
Paulina Miranda (D) 21% (25,505)
Tom Pratt (D) 16% (18,791)
Mark Beldon (NPP) 4% (4,376)

Poythress vs. Cabellero

In SD 12, Madera Supervisor Rob Poythress and Assemblywoman Anna Caballero of Salinas survived the primary.
While Caballero won a plurality of 41%, compared to Poythress’ 27%, it will be a tight race. Poythress edged fellow Republican Johnny Tacherra, who earned 24%. Combine those two numbers, and that means Republicans won a majority.
The winner will replace termed-out Republican Anthony Cannella of Ceres.

Candidate Votes
Anna Caballero (D) 41% (25,017)
Rob Poythress (R) 27% (16,277)
Johnny Tacherra (R) 24% (14,343)
Daniel Parra (D) 8% (5,109)

Vidak Leads Primary Vote

Senator Andy Vidak gathered the most votes in the SD 14 race, attempting to win his third election for the seat (and second full-term).
He won 55% of the vote and will face Sanger councilwoman Melissa Hurtado, a Democrat, in the fall.

Candidate Votes
Andy Vidak (R)* 55% (24,404)
Melissa Hurtado (D) 23% (10,030)
Abigail Solis (D) 14% (6,190)
Ruben Macreno (D) 8% (3,418)

 

Democrat Recalled


Senator Josh Newman
One seat flipped in a special recall election in southern California. Voters overwhelmingly (60%) told Sen. Josh Newman to pack his bags.
The Democrat is out of office. In his place, former Republican Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang won the connected special election.
The Republican Party targeted Newman because of his vote on SB 1, the gas tax. Despite shenanigans by Democrats, Newman is gone. This means that the Democrats lost their two-thirds supermajority advantage.
Said Newman: “None of this shakes my faith in California or in the fundamental capacity of politics to serve as a platform for doing good and for serving people. It’s been an honor and a privilege” to serve.

The Other Districts: Status Quo

All 13 Senate incumbents won the most votes in their respective races to advance to November.
In the remaining seven open seats, it does not appear any of those seats will flip, with one notable caveat.
SD 32 had the most unusual night, two concurrent votes: one to fill the remainder of Tony Mendoza’s term, and the other for the regular four-year seat.
Republican Rita Topalian led both races with 25% in each. However, she will face different opponents in the runoff. For the temporary term, she will face Democrat Vanessa Delgado in August. In November, Topalian will face Democrat Bob Archuleta.
Mendoza, a Democrat who resigned under the #MeToo scandal, ran in both races and lost both times.
Even with Topalian’s lead, the Democratic strength in the southern California District may be too great to flip the district.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Fresno Woman, Tied to Fentanyl ‘M30 King,’ Sentenced to Federal Prison

DON'T MISS

Tesla Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Claiming Sudden Acceleration in Ohio Crash

DON'T MISS

Trump Is Dismantling the Education Dept. How That Might Harm Special Ed

DON'T MISS

Special Interests Pour More Than Half a Billion Into CA Lobbying

DON'T MISS

Texas Walmart Shooter Who Killed 23 Avoids Death Penalty by Pleading Guilty

DON'T MISS

Chevron Announces First Oil at Ballymore Project in US Gulf

DON'T MISS

Fresno Barbershop Shooting Leaves Man Dead, Two Others Injured

DON'T MISS

Vance, Modi Welcome Significant Progress on India-US Trade Deal

DON'T MISS

White House Denies Report It Is Searching for New Defense Secretary

DON'T MISS

Israeli Spy Chief Hands Court Scathing Rebuke of Netanyahu Bid to Sack Him

UP NEXT

Special Interests Pour More Than Half a Billion Into CA Lobbying

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Satbir Singh

UP NEXT

Steeply Discounted OD-Reversal Medicine Now Available to Any Californian

UP NEXT

Merced College Breaks Ground on $21 Million Center Geared for Tomorrow’s Ag Jobs

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Arrest 11 for DUI During Weekend Enforcement

UP NEXT

One Man Dead After Kings River Rescue Attempt in Fresno County

UP NEXT

Fresno County Will Sell Naming Rights for Clovis and Reedley Libraries

UP NEXT

Chargers in Need of Help at Wide Receiver and Tight End in the NFL Draft

UP NEXT

Magic Happens When Kids and Adults Learn to Swim. Tragedy Can Strike if They Don’t.

UP NEXT

Big Fresno Fair Board Will Be Led by an American Sikh for 1st Time

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Special Interests Pour More Than Half a Billion Into CA Lobbying

1 hour ago

Texas Walmart Shooter Who Killed 23 Avoids Death Penalty by Pleading Guilty

2 hours ago

Chevron Announces First Oil at Ballymore Project in US Gulf

3 hours ago

Fresno Barbershop Shooting Leaves Man Dead, Two Others Injured

3 hours ago

Vance, Modi Welcome Significant Progress on India-US Trade Deal

4 hours ago

White House Denies Report It Is Searching for New Defense Secretary

4 hours ago

Israeli Spy Chief Hands Court Scathing Rebuke of Netanyahu Bid to Sack Him

4 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Satbir Singh

5 hours ago

Steeply Discounted OD-Reversal Medicine Now Available to Any Californian

5 hours ago

Merced College Breaks Ground on $21 Million Center Geared for Tomorrow’s Ag Jobs

5 hours ago

Fresno Woman, Tied to Fentanyl ‘M30 King,’ Sentenced to Federal Prison

A Fresno woman was sentenced Monday to six years and eight months in federal prison for her role in a conspiracy to traffic fentanyl, cocain...

18 minutes ago

18 minutes ago

Fresno Woman, Tied to Fentanyl ‘M30 King,’ Sentenced to Federal Prison

A Tesla logo is shown on a Model Y vehicle in Encinitas, California, U.S.,October 20, 2023. (REUTERS/Mike Blake)
37 minutes ago

Tesla Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Claiming Sudden Acceleration in Ohio Crash

46 minutes ago

Trump Is Dismantling the Education Dept. How That Might Harm Special Ed

California Lobbyists and Special Interests
1 hour ago

Special Interests Pour More Than Half a Billion Into CA Lobbying

El Paso Walmart mass shooter Patrick Crusius, a 21-year-old male from Allen, Texas, accused of killing 22 and injuring 25, is arraigned, in El Paso, Texas, U.S. October 10, 2019. (Mark Lambie/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo)
2 hours ago

Texas Walmart Shooter Who Killed 23 Avoids Death Penalty by Pleading Guilty

A Chevron gas station sign is seen in Austin, Texas, U.S., October 23, 2023. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
3 hours ago

Chevron Announces First Oil at Ballymore Project in US Gulf

Jampier Quintero, 44, was killed and two others were injured in a shooting Saturday at a Fresno barbershop, with police still searching for suspects. (Fresno PD)
3 hours ago

Fresno Barbershop Shooting Leaves Man Dead, Two Others Injured

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets U.S. Vice President JD Vance at his residence in New Delhi, India, April 21, 2025. India's Press Information (Bureau/Handout via REUTERS)
4 hours ago

Vance, Modi Welcome Significant Progress on India-US Trade Deal

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend