Democratic Club

by Mary Larson

LW contributor

Democratic Party of Orange County Chair Ada Briceño was the speaker for the LW Democratic Club’s meeting on June 15. People can sign up to join the next meet meeting by emailing lwsbdemocraticclub@gmail.com.

Orange County’s Primary Election results will not be finalized until they are certified on July 15 by the county’s election officials. However, a number of results are already obvious.

In early returns, Representative Katie Porter (D), who is running in the newly constituted 47th district, received more than 50% of the votes. She will run against Scott Baugh (R) in November. Incumbent Mike Levin (D) had just less than half the votes in his district. Challenger Asif Mahmood (D) remained solidly in first place in early returns against incumbent Young Kim (R). Challenger Jay Chen (D) is expected to face Representative Michelle Steel (R) in November. Incumbent OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer has collected enough votes to avoid a November runoff.

The Democratic Party of Orange County endorsed three candidates for Board of Supervisors, including incumbent Katrina Foley (District 5), Buena Park Mayor Sunny Park (District 4) and Santa Ana Mayor Vicente Sarmiento (District 2). All three appear to have secured the votes needed to run for election in November.

An immediate victory appears likely for the three conservative incumbents on the OC Board of Education, Mari Barke, Tim Shaw, and Lisa Sparks. County Superintendent of Schools Al Mijares has been re-elected in the Primary.

In early returns, Democrat Kim Karr was running in second place in her race to be elected to the California Senate. Democrat Judie Mancuso was leading in the Assembly race.

Prosecutors have surpassed the 50% mark needed to avoid a runoff in nearly all but one of the judicial races to fill nine seats on the OC Superior Court bench. Michele Bell is in a tight race with Dept. State Attorney Gen. Peggy Huang for seat No. 30.

A small percentage of eligible voters actually voted in the primary. Through June 7, 34% of the eligible voters in Seal Beach had voted, 74% of those who had voted were 50 or more years old, thanks in large part to LW.

LW Democrats and supporters can subscribe to the club’s free electronic newsletter for more information about November candidates, plus news about other issues. Email editor Mary Larson at democraticclubsblw@ gmail.com and include all contact information.