Live Election Updates: Early returns show strong support for Measure C
The first results came just before 8:30 p.m.
Early returns show Merced's Measure C is getting a wide margin of support.
Measure C is a half-cent public safety tax that benefits the City of Merced’s police and fire departments. Measure C was first approved in 2006 with a 20-year lifespan. Without an extension, it will sunset in 2026.
In order to pass, Measure C must receive a simple majority of votes in favor of renewal. As of about 8:20 p.m., nearly 70% of voters supported Measure C, with just over 4,900 votes counted, according to the Merced County Registrar of Voters Office.
In Merced County Board of Supervisors District 1, Jim Pacheco is leading with 54.6% of the vote over incumbent Rodrigo Espinosa, who has 22.27%. Maria Soto and Sonia Fernanda Alshami are trailing at 16.4% and 6.88% respectively. District 1 includes the communities of Planada, El Nido, Livingston, Santa Nella and Le Grand.
In Merced County Board of Supervisors District 2, incumbent Josh Pedrozo has a commanding 70% of the vote, which puts him in position to garner the 50 percent of the vote he needs to avoid a November runoff. Annissa L. Fragoso, an insurance agent who serves as the president of the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has 29.27%. District 2 includes part of of the City of Merced, UC Merced and adjacent communities.
Lloyd Pareira, who currently represents Merced County Board of Supervisors District 4, has 63.37% of the vote and also looks poised to avoid a November runoff. Challengers Dennis J. Brazil and Jim Soria each have around 18 percent of the vote.
Brazil previously served as mayor of Gustine and on the city council.
Soria previously served as mayor of Livingston and sat on the city council. He also ran for sheriff in 2014.
District 4 borders both Stanislaus and Mariposa counties and includes the city of Gustine and the unincorporated communities of Delhi, Hilmar, Winton and Snelling.
Three candidates are running to fill a vacancy for Merced Superior Court judge. They are Regina Sonja Lea-Adams, Carlos Dammeier and Monika Saini-Donabed.
Saini-Donabed leads at 61.55% followed by Dammeier (22.42% and Lea Adams (16.03%).