Democrat Leads In Riverside County's 67th Assembly District

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — In what is a traditionally Republican-held district, a Democrat emerged as the frontrunner in Tuesday's race for the Riverside County 67th District State Assembly.

Four Republicans could not topple Jerry Carlos who leads the pack of five with 22,176 votes. The race includes three current city council members: Canyon Lake's Jeremy Smith, Lake Elsinore's Steve Manos, and Murrieta's Kelly Seyarto. Nick Pardue (R), who is listed on the ballot as an educator, was also in the race but brings up the rear with just 3,680 ballots cast.

Carlos and Seyarto will likely face off in a runoff election. Although Carlos leads, he is short of the 50 percent majority needed to avoid the May 12 contest.

Super Tuesday's results are not final. Countywide, approximately 125,000 vote-by-mail, 50,000 provisional and 10,000 damaged ballots that require duplication still must be processed. Work on those begins Wednesday morning. Ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than Friday also remain to be counted.

The next updated results from the County of Riverside Registrar of Voters will be posted at 6 p.m. Friday.

The 67th District includes Canyon Lake, East Hemet, El Sobrante, French Valley, Good Hope, Hemet, Homeland, Lake Elsinore, Lake Mathews, Lakeland Village, Menifee, Murrieta, Nuevo, Temescal Valley, Wildomar, and Woodcrest.

The 67th contest has been of interest because there is no incumbent — current Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez (R) terms out at the end of the year and is running for state senate.

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