A 23 percent primary turnout ousts incumbents

From staff reports
August 27, 2008

About 23 percent of Santa Rosa registered voters selected a range of local officials at last night’s primary election.

Of the County’s 103,039 voters, 23,432 turned out for the Primary.

That minority of voters ousted two incumbent Commissioners, and selected a new Schools Superintendent for Santa Rosa.

Primary elections often decide Santa Rosa elections because typically only one party has fielded candidates in recent years.

When only one party is running candidates, races are open to all registered voters, regardless of party.

Republican Jim Williamson beat incumbent District 1 Commissioner Tom Stewart, 6,978 to 5,558. Williamson will face unaffiliated Stacia LaDue at the November General Election.

Republican Lane Lynchard defeated incumbent District 5 Commissioner John Broxson.

Incumbent District 3 Commissioner Don Salter retained his seat by a 1,322 vote margin, according to the most recent County Supervisor of Elections numbers.

Tim Wyrosdick is Santa Rosa’s new Schools Superintendent, besting Grady “Herb” Cannon, 12,924 to 9,776.

Sheriff Wendell Hall held onto his seat in the primary. He faces two write-in candidates on the General Election ballot.

The much contested Tax Collector Primary win went to Republican Stan Colie Nichols. Nichols will compete with Democrat Danny Holt on the November ballot.

The General Election is November 4.

The final vote count broke down as follows, per the Supervisor of Elections:

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