Still no winner in California's 4th district (McClintock vs. Brown)

The San Jose Mercury News ^ | November 5m 2008 | Erica Werner

[Clintonfatigued]

No House seats changed party hands in California on Election Day, with the state's hottest contest finishing the night stuck in a dead heat. It could be days before voters in the conservative 4th Congressional District find out who will represent them in Washington. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Republican Tom McClintock had 50.07 percent of the vote and Democrat Charlie Brown had 49.93 percent.

Thousands of provisional ballots and absentee ballots delivered to the polls remained uncounted. The upset Brown aimed for was still in reach, but McClintock told supporters he was optimistic.

"We have seen a tsunami from the left sweep all our nation," McClintock said. "I think we're going to be able to stop it here in the 4th Congressional District but it's going to be awhile to be able to make that statement with the utmost confidence."

The district that sprawls from the Sacramento suburbs north to Oregon and east to Nevada was left open by the retirement of longtime GOP Rep. John Doolittle, who decided to step down amid a lobbying scandal.

"The numbers are dead even," Brown said in an interview before leaving his Election Night party. He added that he still felt "very good" about his chances.

In the 11th Congressional District, which straddles the San Francisco Bay area and portions of the Central Valley, freshman Democratic Rep. Jerry McNerney easily repelled a challenge from Republican Dean Andal.

With 97 percent of precincts reporting, McNerney won with 55 percent of the vote to Andal's 45 percent. McNerney had pulled off an upset in 2006, ousting a powerful Republican incumbent, Richard Pombo, and the GOP had hoped to take that seat back this year.

[Clintonfatigued]

I remain hopeful about this and a couple others.

[VanDeKoik]

Oh good grief.

[Mojave]

Thousands of provisional ballots and absentee ballots delivered to the polls remained uncounted.

That could be a good sign. Tom always uses an intense absentee voter effort as part of his campaigns.

[SierraWasp]

According to KFBK in Sacto, the Sect of State announced that with 100% counted, McClintock won by around 450 votes!!!

At least I had ONE piece of good news to wake up to!!!

[MAD-AS-HELL]

uh oh..i thought Tom has just squeaked by but forgot about other ballots...i hope he wins but this could be a tough loss for him.

[calcowgirl]

PING!

McClintock Ping List.
Please freepmail me if you want on or off this list

[Clintonfatigued]

It looks that way, though it’s not set in stone.

[Politicalmom]

Thanks for the ping. It’s nice to hear some good news. I’m glad to be living in GA today, though. At least the state has a semi-conservative buffer.

*Sigh*

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[DoughtyOne]

Wow. That was close.

[stillonaroll]

Yes, but the provisional ballots are a concern. Did ACORN bus in homeless and illegal aliens from Sacramento?

[newzjunkey]

It wouldn’t be any different than his other losses: twice for State Controller, once for Governor, once for Lt. Governor... are you seeing a pattern yet?

[Czar]

Wonder if the “automatic recount” rule kicks in here...

[Carry_Okie]

The long term pattern on McClintock is that he was re-elected by wide margins in a district that had a Democrat majority. Considering that he just moved to this district and was outspent heavily, he did well.

Don't let that spoil your fantasy though.

[calcowgirl]

It wouldn’t be any different than his other losses: twice for State Controller, once for Governor, once for Lt. Governor... are you seeing a pattern yet?

YEP. The pattern is that the CA GOP is principally bankrupt and left him high and dry, once again. While the Dems pulled out all the stops in this district, for years, the CA GOP made only a negligible effort to help McClintock.

The pattern of you finding any and every reason to bash McClintock is also quite obvious. Did he hit your dog with his car or something? Your hate for the man is palpable.

[calcowgirl]

Wonder if the “automatic recount” rule kicks in here...

What's that?

[Czar]

Read someplace that for certain types of contests, depending on the state, there is an automatic recount rule for "close" contests. I have no idea whether or not this is true. I seem to recall that the losing party in certain contests is entitled to ask for a recount but may have to pay for it.

My question was confusing. What I should have said is: Wonder if there is any kind of recount rule that will kick in here?

[editor-surveyor]

"Don't let that spoil your fantasy though."

He won't, he'll just take another fix of junk 'news.'

[truthkeeper]

I was under the impression this morning that Tom actually won. Please tell me I’m right!