In a contest between political newcomers and out-of-office veteran politicians, San Bernardino residents appear to be going with the newcomers for two City Council seats, according to unofficial election results.
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, with 100% of precincts reporting in, Kim Knaus was leading Henry Nickel in Ward 5 by 60.18% to 39.64% and Treasure Ortiz led Jim Penman in Ward 7 by 53.4% to 46.38%.
“There’s been a lot of toxicity in politics in San Bernardino and last night showed that we are truly ready to move forward in this city,” Knaus said Wednesday afternoon.
Ortiz was “so excited” to have won, she said Wednesday afternoon.
“We put together an absolutely fantastic campaign surrounded by people that wanted this change for themselves,” Ortiz said. “I was just the candidate. They did the work for the kind of future they want. And that’s just awesome.”
And the work has already begun, she said.
“I want to hit the ground running. I’ve already had council members reaching out to me about things that are important to me and important to them,” Ortiz said. “Collectively, we can find a solution to everything that’s ailing us. We’ve just got to stay focused on the issue at hand.”
Knaus sounded a similar note about the need for collaboration.
“The last four years, the council has been referred to as having a left side and a right side — that’s something I hope to change,” she said.
Voters who decided to go with fresh faces rather than veteran politicians showed they’re ready to turn the page, Knaus said, but getting things done will require everyone — on the council and off — working together to achieve it.
“I think everybody’s ready for change, true change, change you can touch and feel,” Knaus said. “But it’s not going to get done with just one person.”
LIVE ELECTION RESULTS: See a chart of the latest vote counts
Neither ward had an incumbent in the race this November. Councilmembers Ben Reynoso and Damon Alexander, who represent wards 5 and 7, respectively, lost their seats in the March 5 primary.
The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters expects to post its next updated vote count at 4 p.m. Thursday.
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