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.