Monterey County District 2 supervisor results: Glenn Church, Kimbley Craig likely head into runoff
One of the more interesting and certainly competitive races on the June ballot is the Monterey County Board of Supervisors District 2 seat.
While Supervisor Chris Lopez runs uncontested in District 3, there are six candidates looking to fill the vacancy left by outgoing Supervisor John Phillips. Whoever replaces Phillips will represent North County. Areas that fall in this jurisdiction include Moss Landing, Castroville, Aromas, Boronda, North Salinas, Pajaro and Prunedale.
Candidates must gain a 51% vote for the win or face off as the top two for a runoff election in November. Early election results show businessman Glenn Church in the lead with 33% of the vote. Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig is in second place with 21%.
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Of the six candidates, the only one who holds a position in local government is Craig.
"I'm thrilled but there are a lot of ballot to count," Craig said Tuesday night. "I'm grateful to serve the residents of Salinas. I'd be grateful to serve the residents of Salinas and North County."
The Californian spoke to Craig on Election Day to get her thoughts on the race and how she feels about her time as Mayor of Salinas.
“The two biggest components for running are constituent outreach and fundraising,” she said on Tuesday. “I feel good about how I did in candidate forums, getting endorsements and actually knocking on doors to speak with constituents.”
Craig has served as Salinas Mayor for nearly two years. She's been on Salinas City Council since 2010 and represented District 5. She believes she is ready to represent a larger portion of Monterey County residents.
Craig said Phillips approached her late last fall to let her know he would not be seeking reelection. He proposed she throw her hat into the ring.
“He said he thought I had the qualifications to do it, and I found I had the support and endorsements," she said.
Craig said she is "passionate" about representing her district.
"It’s my home and I believe all the areas in North County are important," she said.
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With the rest of the year to go as mayor, Craig is keen to note there is much left to accomplish, but she feels good about her term thus far.
“I have absolutely loved serving the citizens of Salinas,” she said. “I came in during a time of crisis, when I thought the city needed leadership and guidance. I felt like I did that well, and I feel like I work well under pressure like that.”
Craig hopes to tackle issues she believes are important, if elected to board of supervisors. One of those goals is to address the recent increase in noise ordinance violations in North County and the lack of solutions.
“I gave the suggestion of a county wide drone team, similar to how the gang task force is set up," Craig said. "Comprised of officers from different departments who focus on this part time.”
Craig points out that she has already had conversations with local police chiefs and the sheriffs office on how to more effectively engage the community and prevent crime.
“You have to be creative,” she said. “I understand that collaboration and compromise get you further.”
Craig has the endorsement of Phillips as well as Supervisors Luis Alejo and Lopez. She sees their support as the key to success.
“If you can’t get three positive votes on the board of supervisors then you can’t get anything done,” she said. “I’m that known entity and have plenty of voting under my belt.”
Looking back on her years of work in local government, Craig says she hasn't lost her passion for politics.
"I have discovered that this is where my passion lies,” she said. “While I’ve usually been part time in local government this is an opportunity to go full time. It’s a big shift but I have the support of my partner."
This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Election results: Monterey County District 2 supervisor seat
