Evan Low wins in Congressional recount, will face Liccardo in November election
((Sam Liccardo Photo by Dai Sugano/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)(Joe Simitian Photo by Dai Sugano/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)(Evan Low Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Equality California))
SAN JOSE, Calif. - State Assemblyman Evan Low will face off against former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo after scoring second place in the primary following a recount.
Low, the former Campbell mayor, claimed victory on Wednesday, saying in a tweet he and his team are "very excited" to advance to the general election.
Low offered thanks to his supporters, but also acknowledged his former competitor Simitian.
Both of them had been vying for Rep. Anna Eshoo's seat in a hotly-contested, neck-and-neck race.
"This election reminds us that every single vote and form of participation matters…I want to express my gratitude to the dedicated staffs of both Registrars of Voters for their meticulous efforts during this unique recount process, and to the dedicated leader who took this wild recount ride with me, Joe Simitian, whose decades of public service remain an inspiration to me," Low said.
Their district straddles two counties; Santa Clara and San Mateo. Low took the lead over Simitian by four votes Tuesday after Santa Clara County released their results.
The election in March initially had Liccardo in first place with Joe Simitian and Low tied for second at 30,249 each.
San Mateo County has finished their recount, including their review of 16 challenged ballots. Election officials said they accepted seven of those, which resulted in Low gaining one vote and Simitian receiving zero.
However, a recount ending Wednesday determined Low had five additional votes, pushing him into second and dropping Simitian off the ballot.
The recount was initiated by Jonathan Padilla, a former campaign staffer and "close confidant" of Liccardo, paying around $32,000 per day.
A federal complaint was filed against Liccardo due to allegations his campaign coordinated a "dark money" effort to fund the recount by Santa Clara County prosecutor and Government Attorneys Association's President Max Zarzana.
"No reasonable person would believe that Sam's close personal friend and former staffer, Jonathan Padilla, went to all of this trouble because he loves democracy," Zarzana told the San Jose Spotlight. "But now (Liccardo) wants to fit right in with the Washington Beltway and is doing this deal in plain sight. It's an affront to our system of fair and open elections and must be investigated."
Zarzana claimed Liccardo is "known for backroom deals," the San Jose Spotlight first reported.
In a statement Wednesday, Liccardo said all should "celebrate that democracy prevailed" despite "efforts to stop [the] recount."
"I commend the diligent efforts of our election officials to provide an accurate vote count…we can now re-focus on our work ahead, toward solutions to our region's and nation's great challenges, such as homelessness, the high cost of living, climate change, public safety, and protecting reproductive rights."
Joe Simitian conceded in the congressional race in a statement, congratulating Low and Liccardo for their wins.
"We have come up short. I lost, and I concede. I trust the process, and I accept the result…I want to congratulate Assemblymember Evan Low and former Mayor Sam Liccardo. I have spoken to them both to wish them well. I look forward to the lively campaign they will undoubtedly run…I know that I am privileged to hold public office and I will do my best to honor that trust, helping people and solving problems until my last day in office," Simitian said in part.
KTVU political reporter Greg Lee contributed to this report.
O. Gloria Okorie is a reporter for KTVU. Email O. Gloria at o.gloria.okorie@fox.com or call her at 510-874-0175. Follow her on Twitter @ogloriaokorie.