The big news of the night was obviously the victory of Barack Obama over John McCain for President of the United States and voters in the County of Sacramento followed suit. Voter turnout was strong at 58.7% county-wide. For President, the County went for Obama 58% to 39% for McCain. For detailed Sacramento County election results click here. For State and Federal results click here.

Incumbent House Republican Dan Lungren edged out Democrat challenger Bill Durston 48% to 44% and Republican Tom McClintock beat Democrat Charlie Brown 52% to 46%. Doris Matsui easily won re-election receiving 74% of the vote against challenger Paul Smith.

In the City of Rancho Cordova City Council race Councilmembers Ken Cooley, David Sander and Robert McGarvey easily won re-election for another term. Debra Davis, the only challenger who dropped out of the race early on due to health reasons received a respectable 3,237 votes for 12% of the total vote against 3 incumbents.

The race for Folsom Cordova Unified School District was won by Joanne Reinking and Teresa Stanley. Rancho Cordova favorite Conrad Mayor picked up 17.4% of the vote, but not enough to secure one of the two top spots on the Governing Board. The three remaining seats on the Board will be up for re-election in 2010.

In the election for SMUD Directer of Ward 2 first time candidate and Nancy Bui walked away with a victory receiving 52% of the vote against her more experienced opponent Mark Bahouth.

The closely contested race for Cordova Recreation and Park District resulted in a win for Sheriff’s Deputy and Rancho Cordova Police Officer Mark Baxter and Perry Metzger. Rick Sloan finished a close third with 17%. The rest of the candidates finished in the following order; Kendall Tough, Kathryn Gerwig, David Ivazian, and David Wayne La Pierre.

In another high profile race Kevin Johnson defeated Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo while carrying 57% of the vote. Jeff Starsky and Ernie Sheldon won seats on the Folsom City Council and Jayna Karpinski-Costa and Jeff Slowey won seats on the Citrus Heights City Council.

In the City of Elk Grove City Council race incumbent Council members Jim Cooper and Sophia Sherman were easily re-elected and challenger Steve Detrick decisively knocked off Councilmember Michael Leary while receiving 58% of the vote to only 32% for Leary.

Now on to the State Ballot Propositions:

Proposition 1A - Safe, Reliable High Speed Passenger Train Bond Act

Yes - 47%

No - 52%

Proposition 2 - Standards for Confining Farm Animals

Yes - 63%

No - 38%

Proposition 3 - Children’s Hospital Bond Act

Yes - 46%

No - 53%

Proposition 4 - Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Terminating a Minor’s Pregnancy

Yes - 47%

No - 52%

Proposition 5- Nonviolent Drug Offenses. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation.

Yes - 40%

No - 60%

Proposition 6 - Police and Law Enforcement Funding. Criminal Penalties and Laws.

Yes - 30%

No - 69%

Proposition 7 - Renewable Energy Generation.

Yes - 33%

No - 66%

Proposition 8 - Eliminates Rigt of Same Sex Couples to Marry.

Yes - 53%

No - 46%

Proposition 9 - Criminal Justice System. Victims’ Rights. Parole.

Yes - 51%

No - 48%

Proposition 10 - Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy.

Yes - 35%

No - 64%

Proposition 11 - Redistricting.

Yes - 51%

No -  49%

Proposition 12 - Veteran’s Bond Act of 2008.

Yes - 64%

No -  36%

Correction: The US Representative race for District 4 is too close to call. The earlier returns reported are unofficial.