By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (jGLi) – Associate Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye won the overwhelming “Yes” votes against “No” votes, 2-1, for her retention as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California Tuesday’s (Nov. 2nd) to lead several Filipino-American winners in the mid-term elections across the United States.

According to the latest report from California’s Secretary of State’s website as of 1:45 a.m. Nov. 3, out of the 79.4% (19,739 of 24,845 precincts reporting, Justice Sakauye collected 3,056,708 votes for “Yes” votes or 66.9% against 1,518,607 votes for “No” votes as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the state to become the first Filipino- and Asian-American to hold the position. To win the position, she only needed 50% plus one vote.

Meanwhile, another Filipino American Kymberly Marcos Pine, also a Republican like Justice Sakauye, was re-elected as a member of the State House of Representative, District 43, of Ewa Beach in Hawaii, by getting 1,193 votes or 64.35% against her Democrat opponent Jason W. Bradshaw, who had 661 votes or 35.65%.

A native of Hawaii, Representative Pine, a former journalist, has been a State Representative since 2004 after becoming a Policy Assistant of outgoing California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2002.

On the other hand, Kriselda “Kris” Valderrama, a member of House of Delegates of Maryland, kept her post by gathering 31% of the votes, according to the Associated Press.

Other Electoral Results in California

At least two mayors were re-elected while a third won a council seat that could make him eligible to be re-elected to the mayoral post. While one was returned to his old mayoral post and a fifth lost in the mayoral election in California.

Pete Sanchez was re-elected mayor of Suisan City in Solano County and so with Mayor Christopher Cabaldon of West Sacramento in Yolo County. Incumbent Mayor Michael “Mike” Guingona of Daly City was elected to the Daly City Council whose five members elect among themselves the next mayor.

Former Mayor Jose Esteves reclaimed his old post when he was elected mayor of the City of Milpitas of Santa Clara County while incumbent Mayor Tony Daysog of the City of Alameda of Alameda County lost to Alameda Councilmember Marie Gilmore.

Re-electionist Joanne F. del Rosario kept her post as councilmember of Colma City in the County of San Mateo by polling 158 votes or 48.5% against her opponent Helen Fisicaro, who got 168 votes or 51.5%. They were the only candidates for the position that calls for two winners.

Pat D. Gacoscos was the top vote-getter for city council of Union City by collecting 5,135 votes or 20.39% out of the nine candidates. Only the top three candidates will be elected to the council. The two others are Emily Duncan, who had 4,715 votes or 18.72% and Lorrin Ellis, with 3,762 votes or 14.94%.

Ms. Myrna de Vera is one of the two challengers to defeat the two incumbents in the Hercules City Council. The other winner is John Delgado. With all 13 precincts reporting, Delgado chalked up 2,158 votes of 30.73 % to De Vera’s 2,111 votes or 30.06 percent out of the total 7,022 votes.

They defeated incumbents Kris Valstad and Joe Eddy McDonald.

Cecilia “Ces” Rosales lost in the race for city council of Berkeley by logging in 381 votes of 14.58% to place third in a four-person race. # # #

Editor’s Note: To contact the author, please e-mail him at:  (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)