Both District 4 challengers who advanced to the November general
election by beating incumbent Reb Monaco in Tuesday’s primary noted
how they were particularly proud about the positive nature of the
campaigns.
Both District 4 challengers who advanced to the November general election by beating incumbent Reb Monaco in Tuesday’s primary noted how they were particularly proud about the positive nature of the campaigns.
Phil Fortino came away with the most votes in the primary at 45 percent. Jerry Muenzer had 39 percent. And Monaco had 15 percent, according to unofficial results.
“All three candidates were cordial toward one another,” Fortino said. “It was the cleanest campaign I have ever witnessed. It’s a shame when campaigns go negative. That shouldn’t have to be what politics are all about.”
Fortino said he will continue to knock on doors in the upcoming months, hoping to stay the front-runner, but he realizes it will be tough.
“San Benito County has a tough road in front of it and it will take some real leadership,” Fortino said.
Muenzer was happy with the result but he was more proud of how the campaigns were run, he said.
“We ran a good, clean race and I am so proud of that,” he said. “I’m excited and looking forward to a runoff and I am expecting another clean but hard-fought campaign.”
Muenzer did admit he was surprised by the low vote totals for both Monaco and District 3 incumbent Pat Loe.
“I think they both got caught up in the anti-incumbent fever and that surprised me because they both served the community for eight years,” he said. “They’ve done a great job.”
Look for the full story in the Pinnacle.
