Jim Shoemaker predicted that Republican voters would come out in force on Tuesday, and early indications are that he was correct.
Shoemaker, the conservative Republican candidate for the California State Senate’s 5th District seat, was leading two well-known Democrats, former congressman Jerry McNerney and current Assemblyman Carlos Villapudua. In the race to fill Villapudua’s 13th Assembly spot, Democrat Rhodesia Ransom is leading Republican Denise Aguilar Mendez and Edith Villapudua, Carlos Villapudua’s wife.
The two highest vote getters in each race will advance to the general election on Nov. 5.
It is likely to still be difficult for Republican to win in November in these strongly Democratic districts, but Shoemaker believes he can build on a strong primary showing.
According to the latest returns from the San Joaquin County Registrar’s office, Shoemaker, a businessman and trucker from Clements, has 45.53% to McNerney’s 31.18%, with Carlos Villapudua at 23.29.
“I expected a good turnout (of our base), and it’s going the way we figured it would,” Shoemaker said while at a gathering of Republican candidates at The AVE on the Mile on Pacific Ave. “I think will wind winning the primary, the way it looks. We’re very happy with what we’re seeing.”
McNerney hosted a Democratic host party less than a block away at Valley Brew, and said he wasn’t surprised by the results.
“The results are pretty much what we expected, we’re in a good spot to advance (to the general election),” McNerney said. “(Shoemaker) did quite well in San Joaquin County.”
Ransom, a former member of the Tracy City Council, led Mendez in voting percentage 39.73-37.56. Edith Villapudua is third at 22.71.
“We’re definitely happy with the first results, and it’s what we were anticipating,” Ransom said. “It’s too early to predict anything, but we’re definitely in a good, solid place.”
Neither McNerney nor Ransom would be in their respective races if it wasn’t for the Villapuduas switching races just before the ballot registration deadline. Carlos Villapudua was going to run for reelection in the assembly and Edith was going to go for the senate. When they swapped, McNerney got into the race and Ransom moved from the senate race to the assembly. Mendez also jumped into the partially because she was opposed to Edith running unopposed.
All the other candidates in both races said the switch affected the outcomes.
“I think it did matter to some voters. Carlos tried to do a political switcheroo,” Mendez said. “People don’t want a family dynasty, they don’t want that kind of politics.”
Please check back with Stocktonia for updated results.
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