Who’s No. 2? Primary to Reveal November Rivals to Hunter, Jones

Who will finish second?

That’s the key result Ramona voters will learn in today’s congressional and Assembly primaries—where Republicans Duncan D. Hunter and Brian Jones are heavy favorites in the 50^th Congressional District and 71^st Assembly District races, respectively.

The top two vote-getters in these races will face off in November.

But in the 2^nd District county supervisor’s race, a winner may be declared tonight. If Supervisor Dianne Jacob or challenger Rudy Reyes receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the winner takes the seat. If no one receives more than 50 percent, both will advance to a November runoff.

The District 2 race is a rematch of the 2008 election. Rudy Reyes, an archaeologist severely burned in the 2003 Cedar Fire, is challenging Jacob to represent East County and parts of San Diego.

Rep. Hunter is opposed by fellow GOP candidate Terri Linnell, Democrats Connie Frankowiak and David Secor, and Libertarian Michael Benoit.

Incumbent Assemblyman Jones is challenged by Democrat Patrick Hurley and Republican John McLaughlin.

More than 1,400 polling places opened at 7 a.m. for a primary election in which San Diegans will vote for mayor, decide between two ballot measures and choose among numerous legislative and congressional candidates.

Registrar of Voters Deborah Seiler told City News Service that early indications point to a low turnout—in the neighborhood of 40 percent.

Up to last Saturday, 2,212 residents took advantage of a few weeks of early voting at the registrar's office, compared to 8,535 in a similar period two years ago, Seiler said. Roughly 32 percent of the 761,000 or so mail-in ballots that had been sent out were returned by midday Monday, she said.

Polls will be open until 8 p.m., and the first batch of results—from the early voters and mail-in ballots—is expected to be released soon after, according to Seiler. She said the first results from precincts should be available by 10 p.m.

City News Service contributed to this report.