Election night in Contra Costa County was a good night for incumbents, and on most of the State measures and candidates, Contra Costa was in line with a strong democratic showing.

    As of Election night Contra Costa Elections had processed 280,686 ballots and as of Nov. 5 it still had 184,200 vote-by-mail ballots to process that arrived on or right after election night.

    Among the ballots that took longer to count were thousands of voter registration provisional ballots and other ballots  that were damaged or needed review.

    The Regional Transit Measure passed in all five counties where it was on the ballot. The Metropolitan Transit District had threatened to close many BART stations, including the one in Orinda, if the measure failed.  Although the results are preliminary, the measure is passing with strong majorities in all five affected counties.  In Contra Costa County, the measure garnered 56% of the vote, while in San Francisco it earned over 77%.

    Measure W, which will raise funding for the Acalanes Union High School District, is currently passing with a large majority. Almost 70% of voters approved the measure, while just over 30% voted against. Measure W, a parcel tax measure, requires two-thirds, or 66.67%, voter approval to pass. The measure will impose a parcel tax of $168 for eight years in order address instructional needs.

    Insurance Commissioner candidate Jane Kim declared victory after reaching over 53% of the vote statewide. Ben Allen stood at 46.6% and conceded on Saturday, Nov. 7.   

    Congressman Mark DeSaulnier and California Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan both stand at nearly 69%, with challengers trailing at under 32% of the vote.

    In local races, it appears that Town Council incumbents Kerry Hillis and Steven Woehleke in Moraga will hold their seats, although challenger Alexis Mapel trailed by less than 4 percentage points as of Nov. 6. 

    In Orinda, City Council Incumbents Janet Riley, Latika Malkani and Brandyn Iverson won, with challenger Juana Rudati winning just 14.27% of the vote in preliminary results. Lafayette did not have a City Council election this year.

    Incumbents also did well in school races.  Incumbent Sarah Butler has taken over 70% of the votes for Contra Costa County Board of Education, while incumbents also prevailed in the elections for the Acalanes Union High School District, with Stacey Schweppe keeping her seat, and Orinda Union School District Incumbents Katie Shogan and Edda Collins won, while John Chabalko won the seat vacated by Eve Phillips, who decided not to run again. Moraga and Lafayette school boards were not on the ballot.

    At the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, incumbent Mike Roemer held his seat with nearly 64% of the vote, defeating challenger Linda Stevens in District 4. In District 3, where incumbent Steve Danziger decided not to run again, John Donnelly won with over 62% of the vote, compared to Steve Cohn who won almost 38%.
    Incumbent Marguerite Young held onto her seat in East Bay Municipal Utilities District’s Ward 3 with over 71% of the vote.

    Contra Costa County also followed the California blue wave, with Democrats Xavier Becerra for Governor, Fiona Ma for Lieutenant Governor, Shirley Weber for Secretary of State, Malia Cohen for Conntroller, Eleni Kournalakis for Treasurer, and Rob Bonta for Attorney General winning large majorities in the County. Election updates can be found at www.contracostavote.com.