Riverside County Auditor-Controller Angulo in tight race with challenger Benoit

Riverside County Auditor-Controller Paul Angulo is in a tight race Wednesday in his bid for a fourth term against three challengers in early returns Tuesday.

Angulo had about 43% of the vote with all 795 precincts reporting; Ben Benoit, who is the current Wildomar mayor and son of the late John Benoit, a state lawmaker and Riverside County supervisor, had 42%; and certified public accountant Marshall Campbell had 15%.

Angulo had 72,881 votes; Benoit had 70,258 votes; and Campbell had 26,072 votes.

Election night vote counting is complete but results are not final, according to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. Approximately 150,000 vote-by-mail and 2,000 provisional ballots still must be processed. Ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day also remain to be counted. The updated results are expected at 6 p.m.

The Secretary of State must certify results by July 15.

Angulo described his vote count Wednesday as a "strong showing" that to him exhibited voters want an "independent, professionally credentialed, and experienced auditor controller, not a high school trainee without any professional auditing or accounting experience."

He characterized Benoit's credentials as deficient, further setting the tone for would could become a confrontational run off in the fall.

"Ask yourself, would you hand your 401K plan to someone with only a high school diploma to manage?" Angulo said. "Or, would you hire a seasoned professional? I am that seasoned professional, with twenty-two years' experience in government finance."

Benoit responded Wednesday that he has a "proven, trusted experience as an auditor, mayor, and businessman. I’m the auditor for a taxpayer advocacy organization and I serve on auditing committees for several government agencies — I’m well equipped to serve as Riverside County’s next Auditor-Controller.”

He also said that the results so far show that "voters want change in the Auditor-Controller's office."

"Our current Auditor-Controller's failed leadership and wasteful spending have put the County at unnecessary financial risk," Benoit said. "It's time we audit the Auditor-Controller to restore accountability and fiscal responsibility. If this election goes to a runoff in November, I welcome the opportunity to continue sharing my experience, qualifications, and platform with voters across Riverside County."

Angulo ran unopposed in the last two elections. Benoit, who has the endorsement of all five county supervisors, has mounted an aggressive campaign, underscoring more than $400,000 the county has paid in legal fees to settle suits in which allegations were made against Angulo for workplace retaliation and harassment. 

Just a few days before the June primary, Angulo came under fire upon the release of a Riverside County civil grand jury report, which recommended reforms for the office's internal auditing process and highlighted "dysfunctional" relationships between the office and other county leaders.

Benoit has a considerable fundraising advantage in the race, accruing more than $316,000 in contributions since launching his campaign, with money coming in from a wide range of sources, including developers, law enforcement groups and some local elected officials, such as Palm Desert Mayor Jan Harnik.

Meanwhile, Angulo and Campbell have not reported receiving any contributions this year with the Riverside County Registrar of Voters.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Riverside County election results: Auditor-Controller Angulo vs Benoit