Early Results Have McPherson Ahead with 55 percent of Votes in District 5 Race

Former California Secretary of State, Bruce McPherson is leading the polls in the early result from mail-in ballots. However, with only 4,634 votes counted so far he is cautiously optimistic that he could remain above the 50 percent threshold he needs to avoid a runoff with Eric Hammer in November.

"Fifty-five percent with four people on the ballot feels very good," McPherson said. "I hope that holds up throughout. It’s going to be a long night and could go until midnight (before we know for sure)."

Hammer supporters, who gathered at Don Quixote's on election night, are not conceding anything and found reason to be hopeful going into the rest of the evening.

He says isn’t surprised that the first batch of votes counted leaned toward McPherson.

"The first votes are absentee ballots, which are a much more conservative count," Hammer said. "I'm glad he hasn't just blown me out yet ... It's really hard to compete with the kind of money and name recognition he had."

McPherson had about $50,000 to spend as of January, and has represented the Central Coast in Sacramento since 1993. Hammer, on the other hand, is well known as a local contractor and active community member in the San Lorenzo Valley.

Hammer is banking on gaining enough votes to bring McPherson below the 50 percent mark and force a runoff in November.

Susan Weber, who dropped out of the race early in the campaign season, and Bill Smallman were virtually tied in a distant third with about 6 percent each.