East County Magazine

The stakes are high in the Grossmont Union High School District race, where the teachers’ unionendorsed three challengers to incumbents who voted for mass firing of teacher-librarians.. Two teacher-backed candidates have slim leads, while conservative Jim Kelly has a strong lead

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells is projected to win reelection, currently with 62.01% and 8,610 votes in early returns, defeating self-declared socialist Alexander Kraft at 37.99% with 5,275 votes. Ex- Coronado Police Chief Chuck Kaye, also a Republican, leads in the 3-man Council race

Democrat Xavier Becerra is projected winner of the Calif, Governor Race, per AP. Becerra has 63.84% defeating Republican-backed former Fox News Host Steve Hilton (36.16%). Becerra is Calif. Attorney General, former US Secretary of Health & Human Services, & former Congressman.

La Mesa Councilmember Patricia Dillard has a 525-vote lead over fellow Councilmember Laura Lothian in early returns in the 4-candidate mayoral race. Dillard has 5,866 votes, Lothian with 5,341 votes. Ex-City Treasurer Jim Stieringer has 640 votes, Quinn Reese 619 votes.

Santee councilmen Rob McNelis and Ronn Hall hold healthy lead over challengers. In District 1, McNelis has 1,775 votes to Matthew Rascon’s 1,017 votes, 63.5 % percent vs 36.4 %. District 2, Hall has 1,640 votes for 61.5 % vs challenger Eddie Vandiver, with 1,025 votes 38.4 %.

TIjauna rver cleanup Measure B is leading narrowly with a Yes vote at 50.27%; a simple majority is needed to past. 33.9% of votes received so far have been counted.

Major upset in 48th Congressional District: Democrat Marni Von Wilpert likely to win: 58.5% of vote vs. Republican Jim Desmond at 41.5% with 33.9% of votes counted. Winner will fill retiring Rep. Issa’s seat, a district long held by conservative Reps before redistricting.

Correction. Earlier Senate projected wins Wash Post cited included some states where polls are not closed. Here are correct early results: 45 seats projected wins for Dems,35 for Reps. Of races not called, Dems lead in 8 with strong shots at 2 more; an indep. is ahead in Nebraska

Democrats are on track to take back US Senate: 43 races have been called for Dems, 33 for Republicans per Wash. Post. Dems need 8 more for majority. Races not called include CA, OR, WA, CO, AZ & HI where polls are not yet closed, but each has 2 Democratic incumbents—12 seats.

Prop 39 heads to Calif. voters amid fight over voter ID ballot title: eastcountymagazine.org/prop-…

County Supervisors have voted to extend the boat launch at El Capitan reservoir to keep it accessible during dry spells: eastcountymagazine.org/board…

How safe are our water supplies from cyber-attacks, after FBI warning? We asked major water agencies serving East County: eastcountymagazine.org/how-s…

Republicans take control of U.S. Senate; Trump draws closer to win in presidential race: eastcountymagazine.org/repub…

For other local races we haven't yet tweeted about, you can find tonight's early returns here:

All three incumbent El Cajon City Councilmembers have won reelection.  Councilmembers Michelle Metschel and Phil Ortiz ran unopposed.  Councilmember Steve Goble has more than twice as many votes as his opponent, Courtney Hall, 69.64% to 30.36%.

Santee voters are rejecting Measure S to fund firefighting and fire stations, with 55.40% no votes in early voting returns. Santee's mayor wins reelection handily, as do incumbent Councilmembers.