Local GOP leader sees promising signs in primary election results

While having significantly lower numbers of registered voters in San Joaquin County, Republicans fared well in the recent Primary Elections at the municipal, county, regional, state and national level, according to the local leader of the GOP.

San Joaquin County voters approved of Republican candidate Steve Garvey over Democratic candidate Adam Schiff by a 5 fivepercent margin, 35%-30%.. In the State Senator District 5 Race, county voters approved of Republican candidate Jim Shoemaker over Democratic candidate Jerry McNerney by a 46 percent to 31 percent margin, with another Democrat, Carlos Villapudua, getting 26%. In the race for the Judge of the San Joaquin County Superior Court Office No. 3, Republican candidate Peter Devencenzi led independent candidate Caitlin Mujica Casey 52%-48%.

“The Republicans here in San Joaquin County did very well,” said Rev. Dwight Williams, who has served as chairman of the San Joaquin County Republican Party since January 2019. “We are in the field of the marketplace of ideas here in San Joaquin County, and even in the (U.S.) Senate race with Garvey, we did well.”

With the primary races behind them, Republican Party members turned their attention to the November elections. Shoemaker believes the GOP can make a strong case to voters.

“We feel our campaign represents the majority of the district. We’re for the working man,” Shoemaker said. “For example, the top of the trades (unions) might be with the Democrats, but the rank-and-file workers are with me.”

Regarding messaging, Williams said the county Republican party plans to stick to the tried-and-true refrain of “are you better off now than you were four years ago. And the answer is no. We think we have a message appealing to Democrats as well as Republicans. We also think ethnic groups are open to our common sense, practical message.”

The county Republican Party is optimistic that the candidates will do well in the general elections, Williams said.

“San Joaquin County, like the greater portion of the Central Valley, tends to be more moderate and conservative,” he said. “There are also more moderate, business leaning Democrats.”

Read published article: https://stocktonia.org/news/elections/2024/03/18/local-gop-leader-sees-promising-signs-in-primary-election-results/