Salud Carbajal, Jimmy Panetta reelected to represent SLO County in Congress
San Luis Obispo County’s two Democratic congressmen were reelected with flying colors.
From early in the vote counting, both incumbent representatives were well on their way to clear wins. Here are the latest results.
Jimmy Panetta leading in congressional District 19
In District 19, Republican small-business owner Jason Anderson was significantly lagging behind Democratic incumbent Jimmy Panetta for his seat.
As of 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Panetta was heading for a sweeping win with 69.7% of the vote while Anderson was polling at 30.3%, including mail-in votes and with all precincts reporting, according the California Secretary of State reports.
The gap grew in Panetta’s favor between the first and second rounds of results, and remained steady in the third drop
Roughly 44.6% of SLO County voters eligible to vote in the race have had their ballots counted as of 12:20 a.m.
The Associated Press called the race for Panetta.
“I am honored and humbled that the people of California’s 19th Congressional District again chose me to represent them in the United States Congress,” Panetta said in a state on Thursday morning.
“During my time as a U.S. Representative, I have always been driven and guided by the principle that good governing is good politics,” the congressman said. “I have lived up to that precept by ensuring that I pass federal legislation that affects our lives and livelihoods, deliver federal investment for our local infrastructure, and provide services to constituents who have challenges with the federal government. Despite the division and dysfunction that can pervade our politics, I have worked diligently to fulfill the above goals. As demonstrated by the results of my reelections, including this year, a majority of the voters in California’s 19th Congressional District acknowledge my work and appreciate the way I govern.
“During my time as a U.S. Representative, I have served with different presidents and different majorities during four different Congresses. I always will work with anybody who helps me govern,” Panetta said. “At the same time, I have proven that I also will fight for our rights and values when threatened. Our Founding Fathers wrote safeguards into our Constitution that allowed for two other branches of government to be a check on a president who acts like an authoritarian for his own ends.
He continued: “In the 119th Congress, I will ensure that our system of checks and balances is functioning and abiding, be ready to fight back to protect our democracy, and always be willing to work together to get things done and govern for the people of California’s 19th Congressional District.”
District 19 covers the northern portion of the county from Atascadero, Cayucos and above, into parts of Santa Cruz, Monterey and Santa Clara counties.
With only about 13.7% of the District 19’s registered voters hailing from San Luis Obispo County, however, the district is mainly decided by voters from the other counties.
The District 19 is dominated by Democrats, who comprise 49.6% of the electorate, vs. 22.1% for Republicans and 21.6% no party preference, according to the most recent voter registration numbers from the California Secretary of State on Oct. 21.
Salud Carbajal headed to reelection in in congressional District 24
In District 24, Democratic incumbent Salud Carbajal is leading significantly over Republican campaign data analyst Thomas Cole, who is challenging for the seat.
As of 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Carbajal led with 62.5% of the vote to Cole’s 37.5%, including mail-in votes and with all precincts reporting.
Roughly 45% of SLO County voters eligible to vote in the race have had their ballots counted as of 12:20 a.m.
The AP called the race for Carbajal.
“I am humbled by the overwhelming support of Central Coast voters in this election,” Carbajal said in a statement on Wednesday morning as the race was called in his favor. “It will be my privilege to continue my service in Congress and to keep working every single day with anyone to advance policies that will improve the quality of life for our working families, small businesses, and communities up and down the Central Coast.”
“While there are votes remaining to be counted, I am saddened to see the incredible and inspiring presidential campaign that I was proud to be a part of come up short,” Carbajal said. President-elect Donald Trump announced his victory to his supporters in Florida early Wednesday morning.
“I am reminded, however, that we have been here before,” Carbajal said.
He continued: “I was elected alongside Donald Trump eight years ago, and served on the front lines of fighting back against his extremist policies from my seat in Congress. We have stood up to his radical views before, and I am prepared to do so again in this coming term. I know how much is at stake if we do not fight every single day to deny the vision that Donald Trump and his Project 2025 have laid out for our country.”
“Thousands of Central Coast volunteers worked day and night to make every voice heard in this election,” Carbajal wrote. “To them I say this: Do not lose hope, do not be discouraged, and do not disengage. Our nation needs you now more than ever.”
Carbajal’s District 24 coveres most of southern SLO County along with Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
San Luis Obispo County voters make up about a quarter of the district’s total registered voters, according to the California Secretary of State’s most recent voter registration data.
Like the county’s other congressional district, District 24 is majority blue, comprised of 45.4% Democrats, 26.8% Republicans and 19.9% no party preference.
This story will be updated as more ballot counts are released. Check back to see the latest numbers.
This story was originally published November 5, 2024 at 8:38 PM.
