Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Valadao's Lead is Razor Thin. A Deep Dive Into Remaining Ballots.
By admin
Published 6 years ago on
November 20, 2018

Share

Will the Democratic Blue Wave knock Rep. David Valadao out of his 21st congressional seat?

The race is now so close that the winner — the three-term Republican incumbent or challenger TJ Cox — might not be known until the Dec. 7 deadline for counties to certify the election.

But next Monday (Nov. 26) could provide the biggest clue yet as to the eventual winner.

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub

Politics 101

David Taub

The 21st district covers parts of Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties, as well as all of Kings County.

Valadao went to bed on election night with a Dewey-esque lead of 8 percentage points. Now, with more results coming in, the incumbent leads by less than 1 percent — just a 447- vote separation.

Waiting for county election results is akin to Waiting for Godot.

Wednesday (Nov. 26), Fresno County updated its numbers. Cox gained a net of 522 votes, taking 54% of the batch of 5,324 votes.

In Monday’s (Nov. 19) Kern County update, where Cox has received his strongest support, he won 70% of the latest batch of 3,000 votes. Cox’s overall margin there is 60%-40%.

Tulare County also updated its numbers Monday, giving Valadao a slight bump (54% in the latest batch of 416 votes).

Fresno County, where Valadao has won 52% of the votes so far, will release its next update Wednesday (Nov. 21).

Here’s a breakdown of the county support for the candidates:

County (percentage of District 21 registered voters) Valadao Cox
Kern (39%) 40% 14,599 60% 22,309
Fresno (34%) 51% 20,262 49% 19,663
Kings (24%) 63% 17,977 37% 10,716
Tulare (3%) 54% 1,875 46% 1,578
TOTAL 50.2% 54,713 49.8% 54,266

Through 11/26/2018, 3 p.m.

Here’s a look at what’s left to count and when the next updates are scheduled:

Kern Fresno Kings Tulare
Total Ballots Remaining 11,465 15,200 1,750 7,793
Vote by mail 597 1,200 53 351
Provisional 7,060 14,000 1,205 6,134
Others (damaged, conditional) 3,808 N/A 492 1,308
Next update Nov. 26 Nov. 28 Nov. 26 Nov. 26

Source: Secretary of State updated numbers, 11/21/18, 9 a.m. Fresno numbers as of 11/21/18 3 p.m.

The various county clerks offices could not say how many of those remaining ballots are in District 21.

Trends may favor Cox. There are more votes to count in Kern, which is favoring Cox. There are fewer votes in Kings and Tulare, counties that have favored Valadao. Fresno could be the wild card.

“While we have been considered underdogs and counted out, we knew that our message of expanding access to health care, creating good jobs, and improving opportunities for families here in the Central Valley resonated with voters,” Cox said in an email statement. “We are on track to win, and we are still working hard to make sure that every vote is counted and each voter has their chance to be heard.”

Sweepstakes for Borgeas Seat

The sprint to become the next Fresno County supervisor starts in a few weeks.

Andreas Borgeas will officially vacate the seat Dec. 3, when he swears-in as a state senator. The remaining supervisors the next day will call for a special election.

Fresno City Councilman Steve Brandau has said that he is running.

Others say they are thinking about it. That includes Fresno County prosecutor Andrew Janz, who lost in his high-profile challenge of Rep. Devin Nunes.

Former Fresno County Blood Center CEO Dean Eller says he hasn’t made a final decision yet, but he hopes to know by next week.

Brian Whelan, a Fresno attorney who lost a city council bid in the Nov. 6 election, says he’s thinking about running for supervisor.

Others are considering running but don’t wish to have their names made public.

The special election is March 5, 2019. If no candidate receives a simple majority, a run-off with the top two finishers will take place June 4.

Steyer Stumping in Fresno

Tom Steyer (GV Wire File Photo)

Is Tom Steyer running for president?

The liberal billionaire and top Democratic campaign donor launched his “5 Rights” campaign today (Nov. 20). He will be in Fresno on Dec. 13 to talk about Right No. 2, the right to air and clean water.

Steyer’s office said an exact time and location are being worked out. He has visited Fresno a few times over the past two years.

Some pundits speculate that this could be a prelude to a 2020 presidential run by Steyer.

He placed a full-page ad USA Today to outline his proposed five rights, which also include right to an equal vote, health, the right to learn and a living wage.

“These rights are fundamental to our shared belief in the promise of America, a promise of the freedom and power to pursue our dreams and earn a fair share of this country’s vast wealth,” Steyer said. “A hostile takeover of our democracy by large corporations and their enablers in politics has eroded that promise, and we must act to reclaim that power and put it back in the hands of the American people.”

In 2018, Steyer spent roughly $120 million on mobilizing young voters to help Democrats and registering more than 257,000 young voters on more than 400 campuses in 11 states. He has also advocated for President Donald Trump’s impeachment, producing a nationwide advertising campaign to that effect.

Ashley On Team Gavin

Ashley Swearengin (GV Wire File Photo)

Governor-elect Gavin Newsom announced his “All in California” ambassador team, which includes former Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin.

The ambassadors “will encourage California’s communities and organizations to spread the word about opportunities to engage in the “All in California” process and the future of California,” his campaign said in a statement.

Swearengin was also recently interviewed by the Urban Institute, where she said some of Fresno’s development problems could be attributed to “white flight.” A recap can be read here.

When Newsom visited Fresno on June 1 before the primary, he promised to increase Valley representation on state boards, including those overseeing the UC and CSU systems.

“I serve on those boards, “ Newsom said. “The Central Valley is underrepresented, significantly underrepresented on both bodies, so yes.”

DON'T MISS

Augillard, Douglas Lead the Way as Bulldogs Rally Past Long Beach State

DON'T MISS

Israel Strikes Without Warning in Beirut, Kills at Least 15 as Cease-Fire Sought

DON'T MISS

Trump Taps Rollins as Ag Chief in Final Cabinet Pick

DON'T MISS

Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night

DON'T MISS

After Fresno Visit, Newsom Announces $24.7M Taxpayer-Funded Apprenticeship Program

DON'T MISS

How Will Merced County Fund Public Safety After Measure R’s Failure?

DON'T MISS

As Atmospheric River Soaks California, Farmworkers Await Flood Aid Promised in 2023

DON'T MISS

Sacramento Region Gained People but Flubbed Economic Opportunities Over 50 Years

DON'T MISS

Nations at UN Climate Talks Agree on $300B a Year for Poor Countries in a Compromise Deal

DON'T MISS

What to Know About Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s Pick for Labor Secretary

UP NEXT

Assemblymember Arambula Says He’ll Run for Fresno City Council

UP NEXT

Business, Environmental Interests Oppose South Fresno Industrial Plan. What’s Next?

UP NEXT

Northern California Gets Record Rain and Heavy Snow. Many Have Been in the Dark for Days in Seattle

UP NEXT

Fresno Council Lowers Speed Limits on Friant and Audubon

UP NEXT

How About an Honest Conversation About the Range of Light Monument Proposal?

UP NEXT

Is Fresno Mobile Home Park Controversy Over? Tenants Applaud Federal Judge’s Ruling

UP NEXT

What Will Happen to CNBC and MSNBC When They No Longer Have a Corporate Connection to NBC News?

UP NEXT

Conservative Professors and Students Are Beating CA Community Colleges in Court

UP NEXT

Former Bitwise Employees Settle for $20 Million: Fresno Attorney

UP NEXT

Fresno Council Wants Stiffer Vetting for Violence Prevention Trainees

Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night

7 hours ago

After Fresno Visit, Newsom Announces $24.7M Taxpayer-Funded Apprenticeship Program

10 hours ago

How Will Merced County Fund Public Safety After Measure R’s Failure?

10 hours ago

As Atmospheric River Soaks California, Farmworkers Await Flood Aid Promised in 2023

11 hours ago

Sacramento Region Gained People but Flubbed Economic Opportunities Over 50 Years

12 hours ago

Nations at UN Climate Talks Agree on $300B a Year for Poor Countries in a Compromise Deal

24 hours ago

What to Know About Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s Pick for Labor Secretary

1 day ago

What to Know About Scott Turner, Trump’s Pick for Housing Secretary

1 day ago

Trump Taps Investor Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary

1 day ago

NATO Head and Trump Meet in Florida for Talks on Global Security

1 day ago

Augillard, Douglas Lead the Way as Bulldogs Rally Past Long Beach State

LONG BEACH — Amar Augillard led Fresno State with 25 points and David Douglas Jr. made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 42 seconds left as the Bull...

7 hours ago

7 hours ago

Augillard, Douglas Lead the Way as Bulldogs Rally Past Long Beach State

7 hours ago

Israel Strikes Without Warning in Beirut, Kills at Least 15 as Cease-Fire Sought

7 hours ago

Trump Taps Rollins as Ag Chief in Final Cabinet Pick

7 hours ago

Fresno State Becomes Bowl Eligible, Defeats Colorado State on Senior Night

10 hours ago

After Fresno Visit, Newsom Announces $24.7M Taxpayer-Funded Apprenticeship Program

10 hours ago

How Will Merced County Fund Public Safety After Measure R’s Failure?

11 hours ago

As Atmospheric River Soaks California, Farmworkers Await Flood Aid Promised in 2023

12 hours ago

Sacramento Region Gained People but Flubbed Economic Opportunities Over 50 Years

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

Search

Send this to a friend