Most results for Bay Area’s tight races finally come in

Before a cruise ship docked in Oakland, schools closed their doors, sports teams went into hibernation and almost everyone in the Bay Area sheltered in place because of the coronavirus pandemic, there was an election.

That was almost three weeks ago, and many of the races and ballot measures that were too close to call hours after the March 3 election went down to the wire as county registrar offices — deemed “essential” by local and state orders — continued to tally the results.

According to the Secretary of State’s website, Alameda County has unofficially counted all votes, Santa Clara County has 1,000 ballots to go, San Mateo County has 9,126 left and Contra Costa has 11,000.

In Alameda County, the contest to succeed longtime Supervisor Scott Haggerty will be determined in a November general election runoff between Fremont Councilman Vinnie Bacon and Dublin Mayor David Haubert. In that race, Bacon picked up 27.2% of the vote and Haubert 25.9%, slightly more than his council colleague Melissa Hernandez’s 25.2%. State Sen. Bob Wieckowski came in last with 21.6%.

Proponents of Measure C, the county’s 20year, half-cent sales tax increase, have since declared victory, with 64.3% of the yes votes. Although the ballot language suggested a majority of 50% plus one vote was needed to pass, there is legal uncertainty about whether two-thirds was actually required so a court tussle may ensue.

Dublin’s Measure J has passed, receiving 57.8% of yes votes, more than the minimum 55% threshold needed. The $290 million bond measure will help pay for a second comprehensive high school and a middle school.

Pleasanton Unified School District’s $323 million bond Measure M fell short of the 55% needed to pass, coming in with 52%.

In Contra Costa County, longtime District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover is very close to winning another term outright, with 49.8% of the vote. He needs at least 50% to avoid a November runoff against either County Assessor Gus Kramer, with 25.7%, or Martinez Planning Commissioner Sean Trambley, with 24.3%.

West Contra Costa Unified School District’s Measure R, which trailed in early results, picked up steam as the count continued and passed with 58% of the vote, needing a minimum of 55%. The $575 million general obligation bond will require voters to pay $60 per $100,000 of assessed property value to modernize classrooms and upgrade their technology and air conditioning.

At the state level, the contest to succeed state Sen. Jerry Hill’s District 13, which covers most of southern San Mateo County and parts of northern Santa Clara County, likely will pit Josh Becker, a Democrat who picked up 23% of the vote, against Alexander Glew, a Republican who took 17.4%, or Sally Lieber, a Democrat who’s right behind with 17% — a difference of 1,167 ballots.

For state Assembly District 25, which will be vacated by Kansen Chu, Republican Bob Brunton as the top vote getter with 20%, is set to face off against Alex Lee, a Democrat who picked up 15% of the vote, or 2 percent more than third-place finisher . Anne Kepner. The district represents parts of North San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Fremont and Newark.

State Senate District 15, currently held by termedout Democrat James Beall

Jr., will be fought for in November by Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese, who won 34% of the vote, and former state Fair Political Practices Commission chairwoman Ann Ravel, who got 22%. The district covers the area from Cupertino east to Mount Hamilton, and from Los Gatos north to San Jose’s Alum Rock neighborhood.

State Sen. Steve Glazer will have to fight to retain his District 7 seat in the East Bay, after collecting 48 percent of the vote, just short of the majority vote needed to win outright. The Democrat incumbent will face Republican Julie Mobley, who collected 27%.

Assemblyman Bill Quirk also failed to win a majority, so must defend his District 20 seat against fellow Democrat Alexis Villalobos. Quirk took 47% of the votes to Villalobos’ 22 percent for a district that represents Hayward, Union City, Castro Valley, Sunol and parts of Fremont,

In Santa Clara County, which has now counted 99 percent of the votes cast, San Jose Councilmember Dev Davis will face Jake Tonkel for her Willow Glen/Rose Garden seat because she collected only 48 percent of the vote instead of the majority needed to declare victory. Councilman Lan Diep also will be in a runoff, against Berryessa School District trustee David Cohen, who picked up 36.5% of the vote to the incumbent’s 33.4%.

Measure J, San Jose’s East Side Union High School District’s $60 million bond for teacher housing, went down to defeat, garnering 52.1% of the vote instead of the minimum 55% required.

A handful of other school measures in the South Bay failed, including Campbell Union’s Measure P parcel tax and Evergreen’s $125 million Measure V.