Letter: Mike Owen concedes to Joe Harn in disappointing loss

Submitted by paula on Mon, 06/18/2018 - 8:31am

Mike Owen, candidate for El Dorado County Auditor-Controller, conceded the race to incumbent Joe Harn as the latest vote counts were released as of Friday June 15.

“I have to admit I am kind of surprised by the results” Owen said. “I had a great deal of community, grass-roots support and enthusiasm from both volunteers and donors along with some great endorsements.” he added.

The most recent results are reported as: “Total Votes 48970, JOE HARN 25454 51.98%, MIKE OWEN 23415 47.81%.” Harn, who has held the post for 24 years, held an advantage of about 2,000 votes of the nearly 50,000 votes cast. “I estimate that there a few ballots left to be counted, but the remaining votes are unlikely to change the overall result," said Owen.

With just a few ballots left to count it appears that if 1,000 votes for Harn had gone to Owen, EDC would have a new Auditor/Controller.

Owen also commented on the power of incumbency and the source of campaign funds for his opponent.

“It’s an unfortunate fact that political incumbents are reelected about 92 percent of the time.” he said. “In my case, my opponent’s reelection campaigns have been financed by out-of-the-area donors.” That appears to explain finance disclosures showing Harn spending almost $90,000 just before voting started according to Harn’s latest campaign disclosure statement.

Despite his disappointment with the results of his second run for Auditor-Controller, Owen says that he will support the voter’s decision and respect the election results.

Owen’s 2018 campaign earned the endorsements of many including El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agositini and Placerville Mayor Wendy Thomas as well many winery owners and the El Dorado County Association of Realtors.

- Committee to Elect Mike Owen Auditor/Controller

Mike Owen and his wife Melissa are the owners of Crystal Basin Cellars in Camino. For more information, please visit the Mike Owen for Auditor website, at http://owenforauditor.com, or call Mike directly at (530) 202-7575.