By Roger Straw
Click here for updated LATEST Benicia Election Results as of Nov. 16. (Numbers shown below are as first reported on election night.)

By Roger Straw, November 9, 2016
BELOW IN ORANGE ARE FROM THE SOLANO COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, 11/9 AT 5:38PM (The new numbers include late arriving vote-by-mail ballots. An estimated 21000 additional County mail-in ballots and 12,800 County provisional ballots remain to be counted. Stay tuned for further updates.)

Winners: Elizabeth Patterson, Steve Young, Tom Campbell, Monica Brown

A lot of us are licking our wounds and fearing the worst for the next 4 years of Donald Trump’s presidency with Republican control in congress. Unbelievable! …But we take some comfort in an excellent outcome in our local races.

Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson won re-election to a third term – in a squeaker! Patterson 6193, Hughes 6005 (a margin of 188 votes, up from a 109 vote margin in the Registrar’s first report). All precincts have been counted, but many late arriving mail-in ballots and “provisional ballots” are not yet included, so final numbers will change. Outcome very likely will remain the same.

Benicia’s newest City Council member, Steve Young was the top vote getter in yesterday’s election. Young 5617, Campbell 5356, Strawbridge 4910, Largaespada 3384, Oakes 1475. (Note that every vote margin increased over the earlier report.)  And again, but many late arriving mail-in ballots and “provisional ballots” are not yet included, so final numbers will change.  In this race, the outcome will almost certainly remain the same.

Our congratulations to runner-up incumbent Councilmember Tom Campbell, who will serve a 4th term on Benicia’s City Council. Tom’s strong opposition to Valero’s oil train proposal was key to gaining the Council’s unanimous vote to deny the project. Incumbent Councilmember Christina Strawbridge was unseated. We offer condolence and well-wishes to Christina. Her decision to oppose to crude by rail was also key in the project’s defeat.  Planning Commissioner George Oakes‘ bid was unsuccessful.  George played a significant role in the Planning Commission’s unanimous decision to deny Valero’s project.

In Solano County, Benicia is located in the 2nd Supervisorial District. Candidate Monica Brown defeated Benicia’s Mike Ioakimedes, 14156 to 12078, (increasing her margin of victory by 183 votes).  Congratulations to Monica, and good wishes to Mike.

 

Details available at Solano County Registrar of Voters.