Pismo Beach mayor race separated by one vote
November 13, 2014
The battle between incumbent Shelly Higginbotham and challenger Kevin Kreowski for the Pismo Beach mayor seat is close with Higginbotham ahead by one vote and just eight votes remaining to be counted. There are enough votes separating the city council candidates with Sheila Blake and incumbent Mary Ann Reiss each receiving a seat.
Amid a scandal and allegations of a cover-up, write-in candidate names are leading incumbent Mayor Tony Ferrara by 121 votes with 32 left to count. Then, the names will be checked to determine how many are for write in candidate Jim Hill, which will cost Hill votes.
However, almost a 1,000 blank votes will then be read to determine how many have Jim Hill written in though they forgot to check the box. In 2011, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that says if a write-in candidates name is written in it counts even if the box is not checked. The blank votes can only go for Hill.
In Paso Robles, Councilman John Hamon has enough votes to secure one of two council seats available. With 38 votes remaining, the next three candidates are separated by 22 votes. Jim Reed is 14 votes ahead of current Mayor Duane Picanco who is ahead of Pam Avila by eight votes.
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