Voters today will elect the successor to the state Senate seat vacated by Juan Vargas. Six individuals will vie for the District 40 seat that represents all of Imperial County and parts of San Diego and Riverside counties.
On the Republican ticket, businesswoman, author and professor Xanthi Gionis will square off against Hector Raul Gastelum.
Gionis is a resident of Chula Vista who holds degree in law and medicine. She had campaigned last year for the U.S. representative for the 51st District.
Gastelum is a newcomer to politics with extensive experience in the lending and realty industry. The Chula Vista-based candidate has been endorsed by the Latino American Political Association as well as Duncan Hunter Sr., according to his campaign’s website.
On the Democratic ticket, Assemblyman Ben Hueso will vie against nurse and author Anna Nevenic.
Hueso has previously served as a San Diego city councilman, on the California Coastal Commission and currently represents the state’s 79th District.
Nevenic has been a registered nurse for the past 30 years and is a member of the California Nurses Association. She is also the author of four children’s books.
Write-in candidates include Rafael Estrada and Craig Fiegener. Estrada is a South Bay resident who is also new to politics. Fiegener is a former TV news reporter.
A candidate must receive a majority of the votes – 50 percent plus one – to be declared the winner. Otherwise, a run-off would be held on May 14, with the two top vote-getters.
A turnout of about 15 percent of the county’s 60,808 eligible voters is expected today, said Debbie Porter, interim registrar of voters.
Voters are advised to check their previously sent sample voting guide to identify their assigned polling place.
Eligible voters can also determine their polling place by calling the registrar’s office at 760-482-4226. The office is located at 940 Main St., Room 206, El Centro. Their website is: www.imperialcountyvotes.com
Staff Writer, Copy Editor Julio Morales can be reached at 760-337-3415 or at jmorales@ivpressonline.com
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