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2014 General Election results of interest to Antelope Valley voters

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(L to R) Tom Lackey, Steve Knight and Kevin McCarthy
(L to R) Tom Lackey, Steve Knight and Kevin McCarthy

ANTELOPE VALLEY – Local voters took to the polls Tuesday for the 2014 General Election, and here are the final numbers for races and issues of interest to Antelope Valley constituents:

Semi-official election results for the 23rd Congressional District race, which covers most of Kern County and part of the Antelope Valley, placed Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, ahead with a final tally of 78,716 votes (75.3 percent), leaving challenger Democrat Raul Garcia, a write-in candidate in the June primary, with 25,785 votes (24.7 percent).

Rep. McCarthy issued a statement via Facebook Tuesday night, saying the voters gave him the continued opportunity to serve and represent the community in Congress. “Our community embodies the values that make our nation great – hard work, personal initiative, and creative ingenuity,” McCarthy stated. “I will continue to bring these qualities to the job everyday as we work to achieve solutions that bring water to our communities, greater job growth, and a reduced burden from the growing hand of the federal government.”

Semi-official election results for the race for U.S. House of Representatives District 25 showed that state Sen. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale prevailed at 46,610 votes (53.5 percent) over former GOP state lawmaker Tony Strickland, who received 40,491 votes (46.5 percent). Both Republican candidates competed to succeed longtime Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, in the 25th Congressional District, which includes much of the Antelope Valley and parts Ventura County and the Santa Clarita Valley.

The 36th State Assembly District seat changed hands with Palmdale Mayor Pro Tem Tom Lackey, a Republican, winning at 33,094 votes (61.5 percent) compared to 20,724 (38.5 percent) received by Assemblyman Steve Fox. In 2012, Assemblyman Fox was the first Democrat elected to that state Assembly seat from the Antelope Valley since the 1970s.

Jim McDonnell
Jim McDonnell

In the Los Angeles County Sheriff race, Jim McDonnell received 703,662 votes (74.8 percent), beating Paul Tanaka early in the race, who only received 236,665 votes (25.2 percent).

McDonnell posted a statement via his campaign website saying, “We went into the election feeling optimistic, but our expectations were more than exceeded when it was reported that – even with seven candidates in the race – the voters supported our campaign with over 49 percent of the vote!” McDonnell also said that LA area voters have expressed a clear desire for change, noting, “The time has come to restore and rebuild the community’s relationships with our Sheriff’s Department and for new leadership to bring pride back to this great institution.”

And State Board of Equalization member George Runner (1st District), a Republican, held on to his post with 71,894 votes (52.1 percent), beating Democrat Chris Parker, who received 66,069 votes (47.9 percent).

The race for two seats on the board of directors for the Antelope Valley Health Care District, which manages Antelope Valley Hospital, showed the top two winners to be Mukund Shah at 26,071 votes (42.7 percent) and Don V. Parazo at 19,010 votes (31.2 percent). Michael P. Rives came in at 11,049 votes (18.1 percent) with Roe Leer receiving 4,879 (8 percent) of the votes.

And final results for the Antelope Valley East Kern Water Board of Directors Division 1, showed that Shelley Sorsabal took the race with 1,948 votes (54.3 percent) over Charlie O’Loughlin who received 1,634 (45.6 percent).

Measure P, which would have imposed an annual $23 parcel tax to pay for parks and other facilities, had a 62 percent “yes” vote against 37 percent “no” Wednesday afternoon. The measure needed a two-thirds vote, or 66.7 percent, to prevail.

2014 election results of statewide interest 

Final numbers from the California Secretary of State in the Governor’s race showed Gov. Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown decisively beat Republican Neel Kashkari 3,049,385 votes (58.7 percent) to 2,147,271 (41.3 percent). The numbers slightly favored Gov. Brown in votes from Los Angeles County, showing that 732,606 voters (66.3 percent) had cast a ballot for Brown, while 372,745 (33.7 percent) voted for challenger Kashkari.

Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, held onto his post as Lieutenant Governor, receiving 2,856,458 votes (55.9 percent), keeping a solid lead over Republican Ron Nehring, who received 2,250,038 (44.1 percent).

In the Secretary of State race, Democrat Alex Padilla received 2,647,758 votes (52.5 percent), beating Republican Pete Peterson, who received 2,396,986 votes (47.5 percent).

The race for state Controller was wrapped up by Democrat Betty T. Yee, who received 2,650,965 votes (52.8 percent) over Republican Ashley Swearengin, receiving 2,374,530 votes (47.2 percent).

Democrat John Chiang will remain the state’s Treasurer, having received 2,914,904 votes (57.7 percent), as Republican challenger Greg Conlon came up short with 2,140,404 votes (42.3 percent).

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, a Democrat, held on to her seat as the state’s Top Cop, receiving 2,858,461 votes (56.3 percent), beating Republican challenger Ronald Gold who received 2,222,395 votes (43.7 percent).

For the Insurance Commissioner race, incumbent Dave Jones, a Democrat, received 2,817,654 votes (56.3 percent), while Republican Ted Gaines received 2,186,799 votes (43.7 percent).

State ballot measures approved by voters:

  • 1 – Funding Water Quality, Supply, Treatment, Storage: 3,378,826 yes votes (66.8 percent), 1,681,733 no votes (33.2 percent).
  • 2 – State Budget Stabilization Account: 3,421,992 yes votes (68.7 percent), and 1,557,990 no votes (31.3 percent).
  • 47 – Criminal Sentences, Misdemeanor Penalties: 2,955,206 yes votes (58.5 percent), and 2,100,278 no votes (41.5 percent).

State ballot measures rejected by voters:

  • 45 – Healthcare Insurance Rate Changes: 2,032,272 yes votes (40.2 percent), and 3,024,584 no votes (59.8 percent).
  • 46 – Doctor Drug Testing, Medical Negligence: 1,671,163 yes votes (32.9 percent), and 3,415,996 no votes (67.1 percent).
  • 48 – Indian Gaming Compacts Referendum: 1,929,202 yes votes (39.1 percent), and 3,009,380 no votes (60.9 percent).

According to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk, 1.1 million voters (25 percent) out of 4.5 million registered turned out at the polls to cast their ballot – with 325,421 people choosing to vote by mail.

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About the author

Jim E. Winburn is freelance reporter covering news of public interest.
 
[Earlier story revised to reflect accurate information on Measure P]

37 comments for "2014 General Election results of interest to Antelope Valley voters"

  1. Very superstitious in that Lackey was being supported by City of Lancaster politicians. I’m very disappointed, but not a bit surprised.
    Now this area will go back to being more racist than ever.

    • Sooooo, anyone who disagrees with you is a “racist!”

      Feel persecuted much? Off your meds?

    • It is rumored that the Mayor of the city to the north may be making an announcement soon regarding a possible run for Steve Knights Senate seat.

      Will Knight support the person who kicked him to the curb and supported his opponent in the congressional race?

      What about the dedicated voters and citizens of the City of Palmdale whohave been sued which could result in a loss of over $3 million of Palmdale’s tax payer dollars which will go to the attorneys and other law firms and their grateful clients (as noted in a past copy of the AV Press), instead of the City of Palmdale! When next the people go to the polls they will, “Remember who the real enemy is.”

      Another potential candidate could be the Vice Mayor, you know, the one who’s son works for the Mayor’s Law Firm. I wouldn’t have known about his sons employment however it was in the AV Press at least twice over several months, I wonder why? There is no social redeeming value in that bit of unnecessary information, but one could speculate it was intended as an attempt to prop up the law firm and person noted by having free (AV Press) publicity for possibly positioning the employee for becoming a future political candidate. Follow the puppet strings…

      At this point there is some speculation Mayor Ledford may also run for the vacant Senate seat.

      There never was a “Gang Candidate” in the last Lancaster City Council election.

  2. Lackey would have beat Fox 2 years ago but noooo… we had to run the “heroic” Deputy Chinless Smith in his stead. Better late than never I suppose.

      • Jhon, really? 70% of the people in the AV are minorities, yet we are still beinb represented by racists pricks. Pete Knight dad was one of the biggest racist, and if you don’t believe me, gk on the web and sear h pete knight racist letter. And now we have his son. When the hell are latinos going to wake up and start electing people that actually reprent the demographics of the AV?

    • Early on heading to this election, the Mayor of Lancaster supported Tony Strickland and I think it was on the front page of the local newspaper. I don’t quite understand why Knight was kicked to the curb and under the bus like that, “Et tu, Brute?”. The issue now for Knight, is he gullible enough to ever trust him again.

      Tom Lacky was supported by at least two fifths of the Lancaster City Council (Sandra Johnson and Vice Mayor Marvin Crist) who were both in attendance during the debate for State Assembly held at the Lancaster United Methodist Church, 918 W. Avenue J on September 29th. Now it is up to Lackey to be the person of integrity he claims to be or just another one of the political puppeteers puppets.

      What I don’t get is why council members from Lancaster have supported a candidate from the neighboring city, which their Mayor has sued and where the winner of the election, Lackey, is on the city council of the sued city and now he (Lackey) and other Palmdale council members are in contempt of court?!
      Strange bedfellows. The sad part is the money Palmdale might have to pay out because of the lawsuit is in the MILLIONS and will not come out of the pockets of the politicians but out of the pockets of the taxpayers of the City of Palmdale to the owners of the law firms and their (Palmdale) client(s) who initiated the suit. Wrap that one around your head.
      “Oh what a tangled web….

        • People, the R.x parris law firm (private busniess)sued the city of palmdale
          Not the city of Lancaster, just the conflict lies that its the mayor of Lancaster, not the city

          • Yes and Marvin Crist was one of the experts during the trial. It’s all in the transcripts. Check it out at Get Parris Out of Lancaster and other websites. I am told that Lancaster staff was also present in court. Not good for building a unified valley. Again the one constant in all the disarray is the mayor of Lancaster. He wields influence there.

          • Then why was Marv Crist one of the expert witnesses on R.x parris law firm team? Why were city employees in the courtroom? Why, why, WHY?

  5. Democrat’s lost big time last night.

    The people voting for Steve Knight and Tom Lackey must be a hard pill to swallow for some people here. Even the State Democrats temporarily lost their super-majority status.
    Christmas came early for some of us this year.

  6. Oh good we can have parade floats instead of jobs money not well spent maybe Tom Lackey put that money to help our homeless and mentally ill in this town

    • I see people only hear the ad’s but don’t actually understand the meaning behind them.

      He wasn’t the only one voting on parade floats or job reduction, obviously there was a majority vote for any of those things to happen. Not to mention that most funds that a city gets can only be used for certain things. If money is earmarked for x it cannot be used for y in most cases. So voting for a parade float has no direct correlation to diminished services.

      This is government 101, simple stuff people.

  7. I do not believe that there’ll be fair representation. Going back to the past, and remaining GOP is wrong for a poor region as is the Antelope Valley.
    I actually feel sorry for all the poor, including veterans, because they’ll get nothing as usual.
    So the money did buy the election. Be afraid, be very afraid.

    • Not afraid at all. AV has been a Republican region for 40+ years so I’m not sure how anything changes regarding fair representation. Statistically speaking, most veterans are republicans so most of them probably voted Republican. Look it up.

      Feel sorry for the poor? You mean all the people on entitlement programs that stand around waiting for their money. That’s the problem with this entire state not just the AV.

      • Some people think that prospering is robbing the taxpayer to fund their own kick-back and get high life-style.

        California is rapidly becoming the four class society; the rich-gated-community class, the taxpayers provider class, the government class and the recipient class.

    • This is correct. And one must question the titles of these propositions which are extremely misleading:

      A Los Angeles County Safe Neighborhood Parks, Gang Prevention, Youth/Senior Recreation, Beaches/Wildlife Protection Measure

      The Baby A tax (1996) will continue to bring in $28 million a year in property taxes for parks and all the other benefits until its expiration in mid-2019 so this was nothing more than another money grab program and the Baby A program currently has $150 million surplus.

  9. Now, we’ll see how little Lackey gets don’t in Sacramento for the Antelope Valley compared to Steve Fox.

    • @William,
      We the people, also known as the notorious swing voter. We hold no alliance to ANY party (DEM/GOP) since these parties ONLY serve themselves. We the people seek problem solvers NOT Problem makers. We the people will cause much distress to both parties since they have been known to break their (both: GOP/DEMO) verbal and written promise without even a second thought to us the people. We demand that if WE the people pay (taxpayer) the bill of this Great Nation, We the people expect our money worth of performance not more of the same old same old trash. We the people are very very tired of promise breakers, lies. If our Leaders words are no good why should we continue to employ them. If the GOP does not get the job done, they too will be KICKED OUT in 2016. WE the swing voters will help them out . How that rant William ( the extreme fanatic democrat with a sharp wit) . P.S, take a stress break and turn off the tube. (FOX/MSNBC channels). Signed by real Swing voter.

      • Excuses for being what you are, callis…….

        What fanatiscim have I ever proposed here on the AV Times, exaggerator that you are?

        Can I infer from you comment that ‘swing voters’ put into office more of the same people of the party that has been breaking the government for years now and even shutting it down.

        And, you think this is wise? You, my dear, are the true FANANTiC.

        Your rants should be in all CAPS. And, you are ‘witless’. You prove it with every comment.

        • The swing voter also put the lot of democrats in power when the GOP mess up. The swinger voter is a double edge blade, it cut both ways. We do not drink either party kool-aide. We influence in very election, we are the unknown factor that both parties hate. We are growing in each election as both parties fail to fulfill their duty and fill their pockets with our tax dollars.

  11. Thankfully Prop 47 passed. Now, we must ensure Prop 47 is implemented in ways that actually save salvageable lives and spends our tax dollars wisely. For-profit, prison corporations getting contracts for rehab, and mental health and drug treatment seems like a conflict of interest.

    • Real thankful that a bill that protects people using date rape drugs and stealing firearms passed all in the name of rehab. I cant wait for the influx of “non-violent” criminals to hit the streets as well.

      • Bull pucky. Guns do not fall under petty theft regardless of value, go look it up.
        Date rape drugs fall under violent drug use, as in a drug used to commit a violent crime. So again Bull.

        I can tell you did not research yourself and only watched the TV ads.

        • You do realize that the passing of prop 47 changed what those crimes can be charged as right? Possession of a date rape type drug can now be charged as a misdemeanor.

          Under the old law, yes the theft of a handgun was a felony. Under the new law if the value is under $950 it wil be charged as a misdemeanor unless a prior conviction for cedtain violent crimes.

          I guess actually reading what was proposed and talking to people whose job it is to enforce the laws isnt doing any research though.

        • Look up the Prop 47 Fact Sheet on the internet. It does reduce possession of the date rape drug, firearm theft, and forgery to misdemeanors and allows the possibility for thousands of criminals to be released under the new law. I’m all for allowing rehab to those who can benefit from it but, there are many crimes on this proposition that just don’t make sense. I think this will prove to be a mistake.

          • Jason and Daniel,
            Thank you for sharing the simple facts about prop 47 with Greg, but don’t waste your time. Obviously he is misinformed. He is the reason people spend so much money on advertising. They hope the commercials and ads will persuade simple minds to agree and vote blindly rather than doing real research and making an informed choice.

    • So government run would be considered in your eyes as “nonprofit?”

      Government workers and administrators are not in for the money too, or is your last name “Naïve?”

      Get real, for profit has to show results and profit in order to get contracts, government doesn’t have to produce zilch!

    • You are what is wrong with America. You think non-violent criminals don’t commit violent crimes? A criminal is a criminal. All a non-violent criminal means is that they have only been caught committing a non-violent crime. I am sure they have committed worse than what they have been arrested for. Do you not believe a drug addict who steals for drug money will not resort to violence? Recidivism for non-violent criminals who go on to commit violent crimes is extremely high in California. Why would we reduce penalties for crimes that are precursors for violent crimes? Those who praise the passing of this prop will be responsible for a future crime spree of non-violent crimes. We need to do more to keep California prosperous.
      All these people we will release are statistically likely to return to jail over and over again. What are we waiting for? For them to commit a violent crime, why give them the opportunity? Now that this idiotic prop has passed I say we start a campaign to drug test for people using welfare (like Florida) and stop allowing the use of EBT for alcohol and fast food purchases.