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Pete Stark and Eric Swalwell Finish in Top 2, Will Compete Head-to-Head

With Democrats Stark and Swalwell finishing first and second, Chris Pareja's campaign is over.

This much is clear — the congressman for the 15th District will be a Democrat.

Rep. Pete Stark and Dublin city councilman Eric Swalwell finished first and second in the primary election Tuesday. Conservative Chris Pareja finished a distant third.

With 100 percent of the precincts reporting, Stark won 42.9 percent of the vote. Swalwell finished with 35.3 percent and Chris Pareja received 21.5 percent of the vote.

That means Stark and Swalwell will compete head-to-head for the open seat, which represents San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore, Castro Valley and Union City.

Patch will have a full story on election night later on Wednesday.

Tim June 6, 2012 at 02:33 am
Stark will win but it doesn't mean anything if Pareja's supporters back Swalwell. Anyone in politics that an incumbent polling under 50% is in trouble. I know he's not technically an incumbent but for all practical purposes he's in for a real fight with Swalwell between now and November.
Zinn June 6, 2012 at 03:59 pm
Stark is history this fall. And by far it's about time..
Cherry June 6, 2012 at 05:14 pm
Time for some fresh meat. VOTE Eric Swalwell!
david June 6, 2012 at 06:58 pm
Why no picture of Stark at his campaign gathering? Oh I forgot he lives in Maryland and is hardly ever in this district. Let's help him shorten his commute in November so he can stay home.
Summer Hemphill June 6, 2012 at 07:11 pm
Obama has endorsed Congressman Pete Stark & they'll campaign side by side in the Bay Area ! With the Democratic Parties backing & the endorsements of every elected Democrat holding statewide office Pete should handily defeat Swalwell the new darling of the Republican Party. Seeing as how Swalwell's major backers are rich land developers this conservative political opportunist is a Democrat in name only. No self-respecting Democrat would vote for any Democrat who would be beholden to the GOP minority for his election,it's just not plausible !
DC June 6, 2012 at 08:21 pm
Oh no, they're rich! They have money! They must be evil! And they gave MONEY to someone they agree with!
Seriously, Summer - who do you think pays for all of those pathetic social programs that absolutely must be paid for by the government in your mind? Do you ever think about where tax revenue comes from? Yes - a lot comes from the middle class (which I'm a part of) but a ton of it comes from the "rich" as well. When did making money become a sign of how good or bad a person is? And really, Summer... of all of the Democrats out there, you support a fundamentally disgusting person like Stark? The tank must be getting pretty low if that's the best the Democratic party can do. Take your socialist pap back to Ogawa Plaza. The people that pay for your welfare payments are annoyed by the stench of jealousy and self-entitlement that you bring to the table.
timothy June 6, 2012 at 09:56 pm
It is time for the senile Mr Stark to be removed. He has no connection to this area any more, and I will take that one step further. Anyone who voted for Stark yesterday is naive, and does not have any clue, and probably voted for him due to name recognition. Stop it!!! It is time for new blood! Vote for Eric.
Tim June 6, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Great, Obama has endorsed Pete Stark? That's great news for Swalwell. Hopefully Bill Clinton will come out and endorse Swalwell. Let's take a look at New Jersey. A race for a new district pitting two Democrat incumbents.... Obama endorsed Steve Rothman.... well, he lost to fellow Democrat Bill Pascrell who was endorsed by? Yes, you guess it, William Jefferson Clinton. Can you name one race where Obama's endorsement got anyone elected? Let's look back shall we... Jon Corzine, Martha Coakley, and others I can look up if you'd like.... Obama's endorsement is the kiss of death LOL.
Mark Tarte June 7, 2012 at 02:25 am
Pete Stark has been a political hack for 40 years. So you will vote straight party line ticket rather than what a person stands for? What does Stark stand for other than himself?
Kevin June 7, 2012 at 12:26 pm
It just amazes me that Fortney Stark got almost 43% of the vote for the possibility of a 21st term in congress, and, about two thirds of us voted for term limits. I'm just saying...
Camaro on Cinderblocks June 7, 2012 at 12:48 pm
As Tim said...it's name recognition. Stark had all these wonderful colorful signs put up in every city of his district. Those pretty signs don't say anything about his age and where he really lives. Kevin, these election results show a bipolar Dublin voter indeed.
Patrick June 7, 2012 at 01:40 pm
@ Timothy...
While I agree that Stark has been around for FAR too long, why is it that if someone supports him they are naive and have no clue? Perhaps he represents their views more than the other candidates... I am so sick and tired of people belittling others who don't happen to hold THEIR political view. How about simply supporting your candidate and your views without insulting those who don't?
Green Is Better June 8, 2012 at 03:04 am
Pete, you once said that you always vote No on any defense appropriations bill. You said you don't need to even read it. It is an automatic No vote.
Okay, but did't we elect you to at least research legislation that comes across your desk? You could tell us, your constituents, the who what when how where of the bill. At least this way we could weigh in. But when you never give us the opportunity, then why did we elect you to represent us? I went to one of your Town Hall meetings, as was really embarrassed by the way you dismissed people who had legitimate questions. I'm sorry Pete, but this time I'm voting for the other candidate.
Nima June 8, 2012 at 05:25 am
Id like to just say that for the past 6 years living in dublin, I have been very impressed with Pete Stark's voting record. I mean the guy isn't bought out that's for sure and he always votes in the best possible way, even if some of the bills don't get passed. I'd rather have a congressmen with a perfect track record than some new kid who starts a fight with another congressmen. To be honest though, Chris Pareja would've been my second choice but I was content with Pete. Sorry you feel differently.
Michael Helm June 11, 2012 at 07:13 pm
This is too who wrote the new Livermore slogan. The East Bay Wine country.Are you stupid? I mean are you dumb?Is a drug class? You import grapes form napa an think its grown in Livermore?No.they are not. There is no country left in Livermore, so you are the Wine suburburbs.Class?Pushers is more like it. Livermore rodeo is more like it. My home town has no class anymore. Wine is a drug and your pushing it! Great job. Live- no –more!
DC June 11, 2012 at 07:37 pm
If you're planning on sticking around, should we change it to "the East Bay Whine Country" to accommodate you?
Gary Allsebrook June 13, 2012 at 06:52 pm
Stark is living proof why we need term limits.
Pam Ferrill July 5, 2012 at 07:33 pm
My grandfather used to always say...never vote for the same politician twice. The first they learn how corrupt DC and how it profit politcian pocketbooks. Second term they know how to corrupt DC and line their pocket books. No offence to a man that has had the same job for over 30did years...but he has to go. Anyone is better than Stark.
Daniel Graham July 5, 2012 at 08:00 pm
I agree with you Cherry. Pete Stark has been there way to long. I saw him in a interview where he seemed lost, confused and incoherent. It is a shame that the opposing political party is not vying for the same seat. We are stuck with the big government candidate vs. the bigger government candidate. The taxpayer will ultimately lose.
Daniel Graham July 5, 2012 at 08:09 pm
You got that right Gary
Frank Mockery July 5, 2012 at 09:32 pm
Loyal Democrats will re-elect Congressman Pete Stark if for no other reason than his opponent is the choice of the Republican minority in this new district. I'll take a 20 term Congressman over a wet behind the ears one term city councilman bankrolled by rich development interests every time. As the candidate endorsed by every elected Democrat from the President on down & the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee he should beat political neophyte Eric Swalwell handily !! When Pete inevitably decides to retire there will be many more qualified candidates "waiting" to replace him than his opportunistic challenger !!
Maurice Duenas July 5, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Sort of like the whole http://AnybodyButKamena.com stratagy that we took on last year, and it worked. Kamena is gone, now Stark needs to go.
Maurice Duenas July 5, 2012 at 10:23 pm
You are making a mockery of the system.
Daniel Graham July 5, 2012 at 10:49 pm
@ Frank Mockery, Like I told Cherry, I saw Pete Stark in a interview about a month ago. It was rather embarrassing. He had a complete incoherent look on his face. He was stammering and fumbling with some papers he had in his hands. He was confused by the questions that were being asked of him. And getting angry because people were starting to laugh at him. I first thought he was having a stroke. Please don't get me wrong Frank my union loves that guy. But I just think we could be better served by somebody else. I will take a young opportunistic challenger over a senile old fool any day.
Frank Mockery July 6, 2012 at 03:57 am
I know where Pete stands on the issues & as long as he shows up to vote during roll call I could care less if he's starting to show his age. He's represented his district with great aplomb for over forty years & his supporters love him ! I don't know much about Eric Swalwell other than the fact his political experience is negligible & that he isn't universally liked by his constituents in Dublin. When Pete decides to step aside I'm sure that a Democrat with experience in the State Legislature would be a much better choice. Swalwell is just an opportunist taking advantage of a situation in which no higher profile candidate & loyal Democrat would disrespect Pete by challenging him in the primary & having no Republican opposition. Swalwell has zero party support & won't ever get any even if he got elected because the party would certainly find a more suitable candidate in 2014.

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KayLynn Neal June 6, 2013 at 03:52 pm
I too just noticed the sign. I'm wondering if they just recently changed the picture which is whyRead More we are all just noticing it if indeed it truly has been there since the 80s.......I certainly hope that it is an old sign and that this is not the beginning of other billboard signs lining our 680 corridor.
Wade Luckhardt June 7, 2013 at 08:43 pm
There has been a sign there for years, this just a new image at same old location.
L C June 11, 2013 at 04:21 pm
Get rid of it, nobody wants to see trash like this ! Been here 35 years and its the only one I'veRead More seen, hopefully its the last !!!! I'm sure most people here don't want it around, we need to find a way to get it taken down !