The special election to usher in a senator for Senate District 15 is likely headed for a second go-round.
Returns following election night show Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, in the lead by more than 8 percent over Santa Cruz Democrat John Laird. Blakeslee won 49.71 percent of the vote district-wide — just shy of the 50 percent-plus-one vote he needs to win the race outright.
Because all four candidates in the race are from different parties, all will face off again in an Aug. 17 runoff to determine the winner.
Based on returns, Laird, who lives in Santa Cruz, was a clear favorite in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, while Blakeslee easily won Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Santa Clara County was the tightest race, with Blakeslee winning 3 percent more of the vote than Laird, 46.76 percent to 43.76 percent.
In Santa Cruz, turnout was more than 26 percent — a low turnout, but slightly higher than the Laird campaign predicted before the election.
The Aug. 17 special election ballot will mirror the June 22 ballot and cost Santa Cruz County another $300,000, according to county clerk Gail Pellerin.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered the special elections against the wishes of the elections departments, which pointed to the cost involved and the already scheduled June 8 gubernatorial primary election and Nov. 2 general election.
At a glance
State Senate District 15 election results (as of Wednesday, June 23)
**Sam Blakeslee — 49.71 percent
**John Laird — 41.23 percent
**Jim Fitzgerald — 6.10 percent
**Mark Hinkle — 2.96 percent
For Santa Cruz County results and election information: www.votescount.com
