Free Republic

Ballots were still being counted late Tuesday in a high-stakes election along the Central Coast that could swing the balance of power in the state Senate. John Laird, a former Democratic assemblyman from Santa Cruz, and Sam Blakeslee, a Republican assemblyman from San Luis Obispo, continued to campaign as the polls closed Tuesday night, each capping a hard-fought bid that would strengthen their party's foothold in the state Legislature...

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has called an Aug. 17 special election to fill the 15th Senate District seat vacated by Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado's appointment to that post. Schwarzenegger's move bucks both legislative Democrats and county election officials, who urged the governor to consolidate the contest with the November general election to save costs. Democrats, of course, also wanted a consolidation because they believe the higher turnout in a general election will boost their shots at picking up the seat.