By Corey Arvin, Staff Writer
Candidates and supporters make last-minute efforts to rally voters ahead of the 2014 Elections
Inland Empire voters were courted aggressively days ahead of Tuesday’s elections in what some experts consider to be one of the fiercest midterm elections in recent history. From ballot measures to City Council and Congressional contests, various campaign supporters were trying to align voters and most importantly, ensure voter turnout on Nov. 4 to win.
AGUILAR VS. CHABOT – V.P. Biden Rouses Audience
One of the most contentious races had Redlands Mayor and now Congressman Elect Pete Aguilar vying for the 31st U.S. Congressional seat against Republican Paul Chabot. Inland Empire democratic candidates drew the likes of Vice-President Joe Biden, who made a special appearance in Colton at Ken Hubbs Gymnasium supporting Aguilar. Supporters at the event included Secretary of State candidate Alex Padilla, Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, Colton Mayor Sarah Zamora, and Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown (D-San Bernardino).
Supporters of Chabot were also at the campaign event in a house rented across the street from the high school gymnasium, protesting against Aguilar. Both candidates were competing to fill the seat that will be vacated by Rep. Gary Miller (R-Rancho Cucamonga).
WILLIE BROWN AT NAACP DINNER – Reflects on Civil Rights Act Anniversary
Former San Francisco Mayor and Assembly Speaker Willie Brown flexed his political muscle, giving a keynote speech at the San Bernardino NAACP Annual Freedom Fund dinner on Oct. 30. This year’s event commemorated the 50-year anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Brown was the longest serving Assembly Speaker in California history and continues to influence politics throughout the state of California.
NESTANDE VS. RUIZ – Money Talks in Palm Springs
Incumbent Congressman Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) was mired in battle for his seat against Republican challenger and state Assemblyman Brian Nestande (R- Palm Desert) in a contest that has seen millions of dollars poured into both campaigns. Nestande was able to find support last month from U.S. House of Representative Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who attended a fundraiser last month to help shore up cash for Nestande’s campaign. Ruiz had raised nearly three times as much campaign money as Nestande. Ruiz had just over $3 million in campaign money as of last month.
MORENO VALLEY POLITICAL SAGA – The final chapter?
On Tuesday, voters seem to have turned the final chapter in Moreno Valley’s infamous saga of corruption charges, corruption investigations, and political strife with the City Council elections. Earlier this year, frustrated residents joined campaign committees that have ousted former Mayor Tom Owings during primary elections in June. On the recall ticket this election was District 5 City Councilwoman Victoria Baca, who was resoundingly recalled and replaced by LaDonna Jempson.
Also on the ballot in Moreno Valley was Yxstian Gutierrez, who was appointed in a seemingly closed-door meeting to office to replace former City Councilman Marcello Co. And removed after community members petitioned the California Attorney General. Voters elected to return him to the City Council.
Other hot contests in Moreno Valley include the District 2 Council seat being vacated by City Councilman Richard Stewart who served in office for 24 years. As of presstime Corey Jackson was declared the winner in a field of nine candidates.
After defeating Riverside City Councilman Steve Adams and and being re-elected to the United States House of Representatives for California’s 41st Congressional District, District, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) stated:
“I am honored that the residents of the Inland Empire have have chosen to send me to Washington to serve as their voice in Congress once again. When I was first elected
to create good-paying jobs, make college affordable, improve workforce-training programs, make sure our veterans are taken care of, and preserve Social Security and Medicare benefits. I’m proud to say that over the past two years, we’ve made progress on several of those goals. I voted in favor of the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act, introduced legislation to regulate for-profit colleges that are saddling students with mountains of debt and worthless degrees, championed an increase of VA medical residency slots, and stood up to leaders of both parties when proposals that would cut Medicare and Social Security were put forth.
“Despite these successes, there is still much more work to be done. The unemployment rate in the Inland Empire is still too high and we need to pass a five-year transportation bill that would allow for the longterm planning of local projects. We also need to restore funding for basic scientific research and raise the minimum wage so that no one working full time lives in poverty. And finally, we must pass comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship.
“When the 114th Congress is sworn in to office early next year, it is my hope that the gridlock that has plagued our body for the last several years ends and that we can overcome the obstacles laid before us and improve the lives of the American people.”
2014 ELECTION RESULTS
STATE OFFICE
Governor Edmund Brown
Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom
Secretary of State Alex Padilla
Attorney General Kamala Harris
Controller Betty T. Yee
Treasurer John Chiang
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson
Board of Equalization, District 1 George Runner
Board of Equalization, District 3 Jerome Horton
Board of Equalization, District 4 Diane Harkey
COLTON
Mayor Richard A. Delarosa
City Council, District 1 David J. Toro
City Council, District 2 Summer Zamora Jorrin
City Council, District 4 Richard Prieto
Colton Joint Unified School District Area 2 Dan Flores
Colton Joint Unified School District Area 2 Pilar Tabera
Colton Joint Unified School District Area 3 Kent Taylor
Colton Joint Unified School District Area 3 Francine Sandoval
FONTANA
Mayor Acquanetta Warren
City Council John B. Roberts
City Council Michael Tahan
Treasurer Janet Koehler-Brooks
City Clerk Tonia Lewis
School Board Matt Slowik
School Board Jesse Armendarez
School Board Mary B. Sandoval
RIALTO
School Board Dina Walker
School Board Edgar Montes
BANNING
City Council George Moyer
City Council Deborah Franklin
MORENO VALLEY
Ditrist 2 City Council Corey Jackson
District 4 City Council Yxstian Gutierrez
District 5 City Council Dolores Ladonna Jempson
District 5 Recall Victoria Baca Yes
Moreno Valley Unified School District Jesus M. Holguin
Moreno Valley Unified School District Cleveland Johnson
Moreno Valley Unified School District Gary E. Baugh
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
31st Congressional District Pete Aguilar (D)
35th Congressional District Norma J. Torres (D)
20th Senate District Connie Leyva (D)
33rd Assembly District Jay Obernolte (R)
36th Assembly District Tom Lackey (R)
40th Assembly District Marc Steinorth (R)
41st Assembly District Chris Holden (D)
42nd Assembly District Chad Mayes (R)
47th Assembly District Cheryl R. Brown (D)
52nd Assembly District Freddie Rodriguez (D)
County Board of Education Area B Hardy Brown, II
County Board of Education Area D Sherman R. Garnett
Community College Trustee Area 2 Joseph R. Williams
Board of Supervisors, District 4 Curt Hagman
RIVERSIDE COUNTY
36th Congressional District Raul Ruiz (D)
41st Congressional District Mark Takano (D)
42nd Congressional District Ken Calvert (R)
56th Assembly District Eduardo Garcia (D)
60th Assembly District Eric Linder (R)
61st Assembly District Jose Medina (D)
67th Assembly District Melissa Melendez (R)
Community College Trustee Area 2 Virginia Blumenthal
Community College Trustee Area 4 Janet Mary Green
Community College Trustee Area 5 Tracey B. Vackar
PERRIS
City Council David Starr Rabb
City Council Tonya Burke
City Clerk Nancy Salazar
SPECIAL DISTRICTS
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water Division 3 Susan Longville
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water Division 4 Mark Bulot
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water Division 5 Steve Copelan
Western Municipal Water Division 2 Tom Evans
Western Municipal Water Division 3 Brenda Dennstedt
PROPOSITIONS AND MEASURES
Proposition 1 – Funding water quality, supply, treatment, storage Yes
Proposition 2 – State budget stabilization account Yes
Proposition 45 – Health insurance rate changes No
Proposition 46 – Doctor drug testing, medical negligence No
Proposition 47 – Criminal sentences, misdemeanor penalties Yes
Proposition 48 – Indian gaming compacts No
Measure Q – Police, firefighter pay: San Bernardino City No
Measure R – Employee rights: San Bernardino City Yes
At press time, in Riverside County all precincts have been tallied, but countywide a significant number of provisional, damaged and vote-by-mail ballots need to be processed.