Arenas and Khamis head for Nov. 8 supervisor election; Jonsen and Jensen will compete for sheriff’s seat

 

By Marty Cheek

The voters made their voices heard on Election Day, June 7.

After the polls closed at 8 p.m., the results started to reach the public on who won or lost. Numbers used in this story are from 5 p.m. Thursday, June 9, with 71 percent of the ballots counted by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters.

In the hotly contested race to replace Mike Wasserman for the Santa Clara County District 1 Supervisor’s seat, San Jose City Council member Sylvia Arenas and former San Jose City Councilmember Johnny Khamis will face each other in the Nov. 7 run-off. They have a solid lead among the five-candidate seeking the job, including Claudia Rossi, president of the Santa Clara County Board of Education, Morgan Hill Mayor Rich Constantine, and San Jose nonprofit case manager Denelle Fedor.

The results of that race are Arenas at 28.58 percent  (11,832 votes counted), Khamis at 26.62 percent (11,020 votes), Constantine at 20.12 percent (8,329 votes), Rossi at 19.10 percent (7,980 votes), and Fedor at 5.58 percent (2,311 votes).

“District 1 voters have sent a clear message that they want a supervisor who will stand up on behalf of our families,” Arenas said in an email statement. “I’m honored by their support and looking forward to a campaign focused on the issues that matter to our community.”

Khamis said he is proud of the hard work done by his team and volunteers and the efforts to bring accountability and results to South County.

“We can’t keep electing people with the same failing ideas and get different results. We need leaders with new ideas and we are proud that so many people are supporting our efforts,” Khamis said.

Rossi said it’s a time of reflection.

“Election Day has come and gone leaving candidates, campaign teams, voters, supporters, volunteers and observers to reflect upon the outcome of hard-fought campaigns,” Rossi said in a mass email statement sent to her supporters. “While the outcome we hoped to achieve did not materialize, so much remains to celebrate.”

Fedor said she was pleased with her efforts and promised to stay involved.

“The democratic process should always represent choices for voters,” Fedor said in an email. “I am pleased with my candidacy, what I accomplished and will continue to stay involved. All my best to South County residents.”

Mayor Constantine did not reply to requests for his comments on the results of the District 1 race.

Another closely watched race was the contest to replace Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith.

Retired Palo Alto Police Chief Bob Jonsen led the pack with 33.49 percent (63,211 votes counted), followed by former Sheriff’s Office Captain Kevin Jensen at 39.57 percent (57,699 votes) who will contest him in November. Other candidates are Christine Nagaye at 18.70 percent (35,300 votes), Sean Donte Allen at 12.85 percent (24,260 votes), and Ahn T. Colton at 4.4 percent (8.,300 votes).

“I am so grateful to all the voters who placed their trust in me,” Jonsen said in an email. “ I am very excited about the opportunity to bring new leadership to the Sheriff’s Office, and believe my paradigm on policing will be advantageous for the organization and our county.”

“Our campaign is grateful for the opportunity to move onto the general election in November as I continue my over 12 year fight to bring ethical leadership to the Sheriff’s Office and the community we serve,” Jensen said in an email. “The amazing support from all of South County has encouraged me as we partner together to win in November and finally bring the positive change we have all needed for so long.”

Incumbent Larry Stone 68.20 percent (124,453 votes) beat Andrew M. Crockett 31.80 percent (58,032 votes) for the County Assessor seat.

Incumbent Jeff Rosen 58.56 percent (114,144 votes) beat Daniel M. Chung 24.29 percent (47,341 votes) and Sajid Khan 17.15 percent (33,419 votes) for the County District Attorney seat.

Valley Water’s Measure A ordinance agreement altering the term limits for board directors passed with 53.11 percent (92,411 votes counted).

In the four-person race for State Assembly District 28 (Morgan Hill’s district), Gail Pellerin and Liz Lawler will compete for the position in the November election. Democrat Pellerin received 34.20 percent (18,554 votes counted) and Republican Lawler received 30.60 percent (16,607 votes). Democrat Rob Rennie came in third at 25.50 percent (13,863 votes) and Democrat Joe Thompson came in fourth at 9.7 percent (5,265 votes).