Rancho Santa Margarita Election Night Stories

Here are some stories about Election Tuesday in Rancho Santa Margarita Patch:

• Election Results for Capistrano Unified School District
• 3 Saddleback Valley School District Incumbents Re-Elected
• Voters Like Incumbents On Water Boards
• Slideshow: Election Day (Send Us Your Photos)
• Photos: I Voted Today—Did You
• Photos: Republicans Remain Upbeat
• Barack Obama Re-Elected President
  

Here's a rundown of candidates and ballot measures facing Rancho Santa Margarita voters in Tuesday's election. You can follow RSM Patch today on Twitter (@RanchoSMPatch) and Facebook (facebook.com/RanchoSMPatch).

Rancho Santa Margarita City Council

There are three council seats available, two four-year terms and one two-year term.

RSM City Council, four-year seat (vote for 2 candidates):

• Tony Beall announcement
• Tony Beall candidate profile
• Carol Gamble announcement
• Carol Gamble candidate profile
• Kenney Hrabik announcement
• Kenney Hrabik candidate profile

RSM City Council, two-year seat (vote for 1 candidate)

• Glenn Acosta announcement
• Glenn Acosta candidate profile
• Glenn Acosta ballot statement
• Larry McCook candidate profile
• Larry McCook ballot statement
• Brad McGirr announcement
• Brad McGirr candidate profile
• Brad McGirr ballot statement

Other stories about the City Council candidates

• Is Kenney Hrabik 'Hit Piece' On Target?
• Council Candidates Throw Out the First Pitch (the Patch/Chamber of Commerce candidate forum)

Capo Unified School District

The Capistrano Unified School District will have four trustee seats open. Two are held by John Alpay and Gary Pritchard, who were just elected in 2010 when the voters recalled two sitting trustees.

When the board redrew the boundaries for the trustee areas, Trustee Sue Palazzo's residence was not included in her area, so she can not run for re-election and has said she wasn't planning to, anyway.

Trustee Jack Brick is the other trustee whose seat is up this year. He has decided not to run.

This is the first year where voters can only vote for one trustee because of the passage of Measure H in the 2010 election.

More than $100K Spent in CUSD Races

• Who's Endorsing Whom for Capo Unified

Saddleback Valley Unified School District

The Saddleback Valley Unified School District will have three trustee seats open. Four candidates, including the three current board members, are on the ballot.

Incumbents Ginny Fay Aitkens, Don Sedgwick and Suzie Swartz are aiming for re-election. Challenger Earl Carraway is campaigning for a term on the board.

Santa Margarita Water District

Three seats are available on the Santa Margarita Water District. Charley Wilson and Betty Olson are incumbents.

• Fred Carr
• Stan Dziecielski
• Chuck Gibson
• Betty Olson
• Charley Wilson

Municipal Water District of Orange County, Division 6

Don Chadd is taking on incumbent Jeff Thomas. A Rancho Santa Margarita resident, Chadd is the retiring general manager of the Trabuco Canyon Water District.

Congress

In the 45th Congressional District U.S. Congressman John Campbell (R) will go up against Irvine Mayor Suhkee Kang.

United States Senate

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) faces Republican Challenger Elizabeth Emken in the race to represent California. One of the most entrenched incumbents in the senate, Feinstein has a whopping fundraising lead with $9,148,030 to Emken’s $676,726. Emken currently lives in Northern California, but she grew up in Orange County.

State Assembly

In the 73rd Assembly District, incumbent Diane Harkey again squares off against Jim Corbett, a teacher at Capistrano Valley High School known for his First Amendment fight with a student.

United States Senate

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) faces Seal Beach native and Republican Challenger Elizabeth Emken in the race to represent California. One of the most entrenched incumbents in the senate, Feinstein has a whopping fundraising lead with $9,148,030 to Emken’s $676,726.

California Ballot Propositions

Prop 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund Education

Prop 31: State Budget Process

Prop 32: Political Contributions by Payroll Deductions

Prop 33: Auto Insurance Rates

Prop 34: Death Penalty Repeal

Prop 35: Human Trafficking/Sex Offender Penalties

Prop 36: Three Strikes Law

Prop 37: Genetically Modified Foods

Prop 38: Tax to Fund Education and Early Childhood Programs  

Prop 39: Multistate Business Tax

Prop 40: Redistricting