With the majority of the votes counted, the half-cent transportation tax Measure P failed to get the two-thirds of the vote it needed in order to pass. The measure would raise $240 million with a half-cent sales tax increase over the next 30 years to repair roads, including the widening of Highway 25. Despite no formal opposition and the backing of Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez, the San Benito County Council of Governments and the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, the measure had 58.92 percent of the vote with 89 percent of votes tallied on election night.

Velasquez told BenitoLink that while the majority of people did support the measure, it was sad to see that it didn’t get enough votes to pass. 

“It’s disappointing. We really need to get our roads fixed,” he said. “As our town continues to grow, we will start to see more traffic and it’s sad to see our roads starting to deteriorate.”

Meanwhile, Mark Medina maintained his lead over Mark Starritt for the Board of Supervisors' District 1 position. Medina has received 56.09 percent of the vote to Starritt 's 43.14 percent.

Medina told BenitoLink on election night that it was still too early to call as there were still absentee and provisional ballots that needed to be counted. “I anxiously wait for the results,” he said.

Starritt said he wanted to thank everyone who supported him. “It’s a humbling experience,” he said.

Both men are from San Benito County and ran campaigns based on boosting the local economy

The winner will succeed Margie Barrios, who served as supervisor for two terms but did not seek reelection this year.

For San Benito county election results, click here.

For statewide election results click here.