City Council Election: Kneier and Sun Win and React

Updated at 12:25 a.m.:

Kneier and Sun officially won the two San Marino City Council seats up for election.

Original Article, posted earlier Tuesday evening after partial election results:

In the San Marino City Council race for two open seats, incumbents Dennis Kneier and Eugene Sun are so far ahead of challengers Stephanie Johnson and David Foley, with two of seven precincts (28 percent) reporting so far Tuesday night.

Kneier leads with 37.65 percent; Sun with 34.87 percent; Foley with 15.64 percent and Johnson with 11.85 percent.

Kneier and Sun shared their initial reaction to their leads with Patch, as well as how they feel about results showing 74.76 percent of voters in favor of Measure S (continuing the public safety tax) and 77.25 percent for Measure P (city council term limits) so far.

Kneier:

"I felt optimistic I would be in the top two, but elections are elections and there will be upsets," said Kneier. "It's not a slam dunk until it's over."

Regarding incumbent Eugene Sun also leading in the city council election for two open seats, Kneier said it would be his preference that Sun be re-elected.

"I think we've done a good job the past four years."

Sun:

"I don't want to say I'm surprised but I hope this trend continues to the final count," Sun told Patch Tuesday night. "I'm cautiously optimistic but it's not over."

Sun said if he wins re-election he wants to thank the citizens of San Marino for "giving him a passing grade these four years" and trusting him with another term.

Kneier:

"I'm particularly pleased with Measure S at 74 percent [of the vote]," said Kneier, a large proponent of the measure that would continue the tax that funds almost a third of .

Sun:

"I think residents of San Marino really value public safety and the city's finances are an open book so they know where it's going and know it's necessary," Sun told Patch Tuesday night.

Kneier:

"It doesn't surprise me because it is consistent with the advisory vote two years ago," said Kneier, who has already said that even if Measure P passes and he can technically run for a third term since it goes into effect going forward and is not retroactive, he will not seek a third term.

Sun:

"I'm glad the voters confirmed my proposal of term limits on the city level," said Sun. "I'm pretty confident it will pass and open a door for the many capable and willing people. ... All the city commissions and committees have term limits so I think it is only natural for the city council to have term limits."

"I am pleased with the [unofficial] school board results," said Kneier, referencing the commanding leads by incumbent Chris Norgaard and active San Marino schools volunteer Lisa Link.

How did you vote and why? Tell us in the comments.