As election ballots continue to be counted across the state, two Monterey County races show an incumbent holding his lead and a familiar face could be the next Monterey County Superintendent of Schools.
The latest results were released on June 5. The next round of results is set to be released on June 10, according to Monterey County Elections Department.
Monterey County elections data show 10,426 total votes cast, with all precincts reporting. Of those, 9,682 were vote-by-mail ballots.
Monterey County Superintendent of Schools
Vying for Monterey County Superintendent of Schools is former Superintendent of Salinas Union High School District Dan Burns and Monterey County Deputy Superintendent Ralph Porras.
Burns continues to hold his lead over Porras and will likely be the official winner when the vote is certified in July.
A candidate must receive a majority of votes to win outright. If no candidate receives a majority, the top two vote-getters will advance to a runoff in the general election.
Burns earned 56.48% of the vote compared to Porras’ 43.52%, according to the most recent election results released by Monterey County Elections Department.
The Monterey County Superintendent of Schools seat came up for grabs after Deneen Guss announced last year that she would not run for reelection.
The superintendent oversees Monterey County Office of Education. The office provides resources to support the county’s 24 school districts, eight charter schools and the over 72,000 students. As of 2023, the base salary of the superintendent of schools is $273,020.04 annually or $22,751.67 monthly.
Monterey County Board of Supervisors District 2
As of June 5, Church kept his lead with 70.13% of the vote to Romez 29.87%.
By capturing more than 50% of the vote, Church fends off a runoff in November and retains his seat outright.
“I’m feeling very confident,” said Church before the first election returns were announced Tuesday night. “The response on the campaign trail has been far more positive than four years ago. People who have volunteered for me on door knocking or phone calling tell me they have had very positive responses.”
Church was elected to the board in 2022.
District 2 covers the northernmost part of the Monterey County, including Pajaro, Aromas, Boronda, Castroville, Las Lomas, Moss Landing, Prunedale, Royal Oaks and parts of Salinas.
As of July 2024, a supervisor’s salary is $167,040 annually or $13,920 monthly, according to the county website.
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Monterey County’s latest election results: Who is leading after primary
Reporting by Sheyanne N Romero, Salinas Californian / Salinas Californian
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sheyanne N Romero, Salinas Californian | USA TODAY Network
