Sheriff, Judge races decided
Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune
Madera Sheriff Tyson Pogue is surrounded by family, friends and supporters in celebration on election night.
Madera County voters made their voices heard this week in the Primary Election.
Katherine Rigby was the overwhelming leader for Superior Court Judge, Office 1.
She took the lead when the results were first announced Tuesday evening and kept the lead. She earned 8,667 votes (70.68 percent) as of the last results released by the Madera County Clerk’s office.
Alaina Ybarra had 3,596 votes or 29.32 percent of the vote.
Two other races were decided in Tuesday’s election.
Current Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue remarked after seeing the early results, “Well, I have a job for the next four years.”
Pogue, who stepped in for Jay Varney when Varney was named Madera County’s Administrator, finished out Varney’s term and was happy to be re-elected.
At the first results on Tuesday, Pogue had an 80-20 edge in voting and maintained that though Wednesday’s update. Pogue received 80.27 percent (9,906 votes) of the vote while Ruben Mendoza had 19.73 percent (2,435) votes.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in which I grew up, a community that I love and a community in which I am now raising my own family,” Pogue said. “I would be remiss if I didn’t express my sincere appreciation for the support of my family. Those of us in law enforcement know that without strong family support, we would never be successful. Elections are difficult and they take a toll on our families. I’m fortunate to have such a great, supportive family. It’s their support that has led me to where I am today.
“I may not know what new challenges the Madera County Sheriffs Office will face tomorrow. However, I do know that with the support of our amazing employees, our families, and our community, we will continue to find innovative ways to be effective, efficient and successful. We will always strive to demonstrate what it means to lead with integrity, honor and courage.”
The County Assessor race was tightly contested. Madera County Supervisor Brett Frazier jumped out to a 100 vote lead in the first results Tuesday evening. He improved his lead over Jorge Torres to over 300 by Wednesday’s update. Frazier had 51.35 percent (6,180 votes) of the votes compared to 48.65 percent (5,854) for Torres.
Three Madera County Supervisor seats were up for election for District 1, 2 and 5. Two of the three will head to a run-off in November.
In District 1, Andy Wheeler leads with 899 votes, or 37.23 percent of the vote. Jordan Wamhoff was second, just 62 votes behind with 34.66 percent of the votes. Michele Stephens was third with 28.12 percent of the vote. Wheeler and Wamhoff may head to a run-off in November.
“I’m happy we managed to make it to the next round.” Wheeler said. “Michele ran a great race. I look forward to talking to more people in the community in leading up to Novembers election.”
In District 2, incumbent David Rogers earned 51.26 percent of the vote and, if he keeps that margin, will win the election and not have to head to a run-off.
Two candidates emerged as the leaders in District 5. Bobby Macauley led the way with 47.26 percent of the vote (2,478 votes) and was about 200 votes away from not having to head to a run-off. Mark Reed earned 40.34 percent of the votes (2,115) votes to force a run-off in November’s election, if the results hold.
The following offices were ran unopposed: Auditor-Controller David Richstone; County Clerk-Recorder Rebecca Martinez; District Attorney Sally Orme-Moreno; Tax Collector-Treasurer Tracy Kennedy; and Superintendent of Schools Cecilia Massetti.
The Chowchilla Union High School District Bond Measure S needed 66 percent of the vote to pass. As of Wednesday’s update, the bond received 734 Yes votes (58.12 percent) against 529 No votes (41.88 percent).
In the state races, the U.S. House of Representatives, District 5 race was led by Tom McClintock with 43.7 percent of the vote and will head into a run-off in November against Mike Barkley, who received 36.6 percent of the votes.
Adam Gray and John Duarte were separated by less than 1,000 votes for U.S. House of Representatives, District 13. Gray led with 33.2 percent of the vote while Duarte received 30.8 percent.
In State Senate, District 4, five different candidates received more than 10 percent of the vote. Marie Alvarado Gil and Tim Robertson lead and may head to November’s run-off.
In State Senate 14, Anna Caballero will earn re-election with 54.8 percent of the vote, if the results hold.
Jim Patterson ran unopposed for State Assembly, District 8. Meanwhile, there will be a run-off for District 27. Esmeralda Soria leads with 42 percent of the vote and will face off against Mark Pazin.
All voting results are unofficial. Madera County’s election results can be found on votemadera.com and will be updated every Wednesday and Friday until the results of the election are certified.
