Following a tied result in the March primary race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, a recount of the 182,135 votes cast is underway in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Preliminary results from the recount in 77 of the 199 Santa Clara County precincts show that Simitian has gained a narrow lead over Low. A total of three previously uncounted votes were added, two for Simitian and one for Low.
While California does not have an automatic recount trigger for tied statewide or federal races, the recount was requested and is being funded by a Super PAC called Count the Vote. The request came from Jonathan Padilla, a former mayoral campaign staffer for Liccardo. Critics have accused Liccardo of orchestrating the recount through his political connection with Padilla, but Liccardo’s campaign has denied these allegations.
An additional 24 ballots are being challenged by Padilla’s attorneys, claiming they were excluded from the original vote tally due to inadvertent errors on the part of the county’s election processes. The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters is yet to make a ruling on these ballots, with a final count expected by the end of the week. Simitian’s campaign declined to comment, while Low’s campaign has expressed opposition to the recount.
