New Numbers Just Released in the Race for the 36th Congressional District
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New numbers out Thursday evening from the Riverside County Registrar of Voters show Dr. Raul Ruiz still ahead but the margin is getting even tighter. Video by kmir6.com
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PALM DESERT--New numbers out Thursday evening from the Riverside County Registrar of Voters show Dr. Raul Ruiz still ahead but the margin is getting even tighter.
The registrar counted an additional 20,000 ballots. Dr. Ruiz is ahead with 51.4 percent of the votes. Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack now has 48.59 percent.
The outcome of our 36th Congressional District race is still undecided.
We spoke with Riverside County Registrar Kerry Verjil, she said they are working around the clock to count all the votes.
There are some issues holding up a final decision. First off, there are only 11 ballot scanners in the county so the majority of the votes have to be counted by hand. That's exactly what's being done right now.
The race for the 36th Congressional District is turning out to be quite a nail biter as both camps wait for the registrar to finish tallying all the ballots.
We spoke with Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack's campaign on the phone. They're still sitting tight and waiting for new numbers. The Congresswoman's Chief of Staff, Frank Cullen issued this statement:
"With so many votes remaining to be counted it's important that the people of the 36th district get a full and accurate tally from the Registrar of Voters. The Congresswoman will not be making a further statement on the race until that process is complete."
Dr. Ruiz is speaking to the media. He's optimistic he'll maintain his lead once all the votes are counted.
"I look forward to supporting and representing Mary Bono Mack's supporters as well, so that we can really come together. I don't really care where the ideas come from I just want good ideas where we can start implementing them right here in this district," Dr. Ruiz said.
The County Registrar, Kari Verjil, did say the state does not consider the 36th Congressional race to be a tight race.
--Adrianna Weingold
aweingold@kmir6.com
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