Twelve from Yorba Linda seek six county Republican central committee positions

Final tallies of Yorba Linda's votes in several contests in Tuesday's primary election will prove interesting, even though the major parties' presidential nominees appear to be in place for the November general election.

The margin of victory for Donald Trump from this city's 22,061 registered Republicans will show if Yorba Lindans will unify behind the often-controversial presumptive GOP nominee.

If “never Trump” sentiments exist among the city's Republicans, they'll be apparent in votes cast for the candidates who've suspended their campaigns but whose names remain on the ballot: Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Jim Gilmore and John Kasich.

And will this city's 8,803 registered Democrats choose Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders? Equally intriguing will be how many of the city's 7,555 independents vote for a Democrat.

Independents – registered as “no party preference” – can vote in the Democratic primary, but only registered Republicans can vote in the GOP primary, under rules specified by the parties.

Deadline for independent mail-in voters to request a Democratic ballot has passed, but precinct voters can select one at their polling place.

Another contest of interest to local Republicans is the race for six positions on the county GOP Central Committee. Eligible to vote are Yorba Linda's 22,061 Republicans, as well as 10,815 in Placentia, 10,103 in Brea and 8,333 in La Habra.

The contest drew 15 candidates for the unpaid, four-year terms, including an all-time high of 12 from Yorba Linda. Two reside in Placentia and one in La Habra.

Usually, incumbency and name recognition attract votes, since little or no money is spent to campaign. But this year has seen surprisingly higher outlays by some contenders.

A slate of six candidates has purchased expensive endorsements on nine voter guides mailed to Republicans. The for-profit guides use high-impact names, such as California Republican Taxpayers Association, Continuing the Republican Revolution, Budget Watchdogs and Save Proposition 13, for credibility.

The paid endorsements promote four incumbents – council members Gene Hernandez and Peggy Huang, Municipal Water District director Brett Barbre and La Habra Councilman Tim Shaw – joined by Councilman Craig Young and council candidate Tara Campbell.

Other Yorba Lindans are incumbents Karla Downing and Dennis White and challengers Nadia White, James Gerbus, Ed Gunderson, Susi Khan and Irene Yezbak, with the latter three paying for several roadway signs. Desare Ferraro and Mike Withrow are from Placentia.

In 2014, after fierce debate that split the local delegation, the committee voted to oppose the October recall of councilmen Young and Tom Lindsey, which failed, and endorse November winners Lindsey and Peggy Huang.

This year, the influential group is expected to make endorsements in a potential water board recall and the regular water board and council races on the November ballot.