The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports that Ken Calvert is clinging “to a small lead over challenger Bill Hedrick late Wednesday, as officials counted votes in the tightly contested 44th Congressional District.”
In other words, in spite of what you might have heard, this race is still too close to call.
The article continues, “As of Wednesday evening, Calvert, R-Corona, had about 51.4 percent of the vote and Hedrick, a Democrat and longtime Corona-Norco school board member, had 48.6 percent. All of the precincts have reported, but thousands of late absentee and provisional ballots had yet to be tallied.”
“Hedrick, perhaps aided by the excitement surrounding President-elect Barack Obama, was ahead by almost 6,000 votes in Riverside County, according to the Riverside County registrar of voters. In conservative south Orange County, where all of the precincts had reported, Calvert trounced Hedrick by more than 11,000 votes.”
The complete story is here.
Just think what might have happened if the Democratic Party had actually run a coordinated campaign that supported the Congressional candidates instead of spending all their energy in Central Orange County once again.
No matter what happens in this race, the result is awesome. If Bill doesn’t pull it out this time, then I’m voting Hedrick in 2010!
I will be at the Riverside ROV Tomorrow to help monitor the ballot counting. Bill is a good man. He was my 6th grade teacher and did much to shape my world view. I will be there for him now. If you are free tomorrow till the 28 day deadline to certify the vote call the Hedrick campaign and book a shift at the ROV.