Ennis holds advantage for supervisor

Political newcomer leads contest for Tulare Co. District 5 seat that included key write-in candidate.

Published online on Wednesday, Nov. 08, 2006

VISALIA — A newcomer to politics appeared to take the seat for District 5 Tulare County supervisor Tuesday night, according to unofficial results.

Mike Ennis received 49.8% of the vote, apparently defeating Bob Perez and write-in candidate Cameron Hamilton with absentees and 100% of precincts reporting.

Tuesday's election was a runoff for the post. Four men ran for the supervisor seat in the June6 primary election but no one won outright.

That sent the top two candidates — Perez and Ennis — to the general election. But Perez, who pulled in the most votes in the primary, dropped out of the race in July, citing family health issues.

Hamilton, who came in third in the primary, decided to campaign as a write-in candidate after Perez dropped out.

Hiley Wallis, Tulare County elections manager, said a simple majority of votes is needed to win the supervisor's race.

Tuesday night, Ennis, 61, said he felt good about the race and was happy to have the lead. But he didn't expect final results until today.

"When you have a write-in candidate and another guy no longer running on the ballot, the votes can be spread around," he said from his campaign party at Nuckols Ranch in Porterville.

Hamilton, 49, said while it appeared he was defeated, he was still holding out hope.

"Just not being on the ballot and Bob being on there … that's tough," he said. "There's always a chance, but it's pretty difficult."

Under the election code, Perez's name was required to appear on the ballot and he can still win the seat. If a winning candidate decides not to hold the office, he or she can resign and the governor then appoints someone.

Perez, 60, said Tuesday afternoon that he didn't expect to win and would resign if elected. It would be hypocritical to drop out of the race, not campaign and still take the seat, he said.

"I feel I don't deserve the position because I withdrew," he said.

The District 5 seat opened up after long-time supervisor Jim Maples decided not to seek another term. Maples — whose term ends Jan. 8 — was appointed to the post in 1992 and elected four times.

District 5 covers southeastern Tulare County, including Porterville, Springville, Terra Bella, Ducor, Camp Nelson and surrounding areas. Supervisors are paid $79,320 a year for the post.

A little more than 5% of the vote separated Ennis and Hamilton in the primary.

They have cited similar concerns facing District 5 and the county, including road repairs, population growth and development and public safety.

But both men said they would bring different background experiences that would benefit the county.

Ennis has touted the business experience he would add to the Board of Supervisors. He has spent 35 years with a Porterville auto dealership and said he decided to run for supervisor because the community has been good to him and his family.

Although he has not held a public office, Ennis said he's ready to become a supervisor and plans to retire from his full-time job, if elected.

Hamilton has said Ennis is a "nice guy" but doesn't have the experience to lead District 5. The Porterville mayor said his 41/2 years of experience on the City Council has prepared him to join the Board of Supervisors.

Hamilton, an auto repair shop owner, said one of his favorite aspects of being on the City Council is helping residents with their individual problems. He has said he'd like to do the same kind of work on a larger scale as a county supervisor.