Turnout appears strong for Laird-Blakeslee 15th District Senate runoff
Turnout appears strong for Laird-Blakeslee 15th District Senate runoff
Voters are heading to the polls today for the Central Coast's 15th District Senate runoff, and apparently in greater numbers than they did for the June 22 primary.
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"It's definitely feeling higher than June, so we're hoping for good turnout," said Santa Cruz County elections chief Gail Pellerin.
No major voting problems have been reported as polling sites from Santa Clara County to Santa Barbara County opened this morning to decide a successor for former state Sen. Abel Maldonado, who was appointed lieutenant governor.
Candidates include former Santa Cruz Assemblyman John Laird, a Democrat; San Luis Obispo Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, a Republican; Nipomo resident Jim Fitzgerald, an independent; and Morgan Hill resident Mark Hinkle, a Libertarian.
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Pollworkers at the Scotts Valley Community Center are reporting a steady stream of voters.
"I'm a little tired of all the out-of-control spending here in California," said voter Lee Besse, who cast his ballot for Blakeslee.
Voter Bethany Kilzer went a different direction.
"I believe in John Laird's politics," she said. "What he votes for is more in line with what I want in terms of environment and education." At stake is a Senate seat that could help shape the state's current budget negotiations.
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In the June primary, 32 percent of the district's 456,853 registered voters cast a ballot.