Alquist edges Diaz in Senate race Alquist edges Diaz in Senate race (March 05, 2004)

Former state Assembly member well positioned to return to Sacramento

By Grace Rauh

Elaine Alquist and her supporters were all smiles and cheers as it became clear that the former state Assembly member had secured the Democratic nomination for the District 13 state Senate seat.

Alquist captured 49.78 percent of the votes in Tuesday's primary election, while her main opponent, Manny Diaz, trailed with 45.7 percent. A third Democratic candidate, Jose Medeiros, received 4.24 percent of the votes, according to the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Web site. The candidates were vying for state Sen. John Vasconcellos' seat in Sacramento.

"It's been a very tough campaign," Alquist said to a throng of cheering supporters at the Ramada Inn in Sunnyvale Tuesday night. "No one can fill John's shoes, but I will do my best to fill Elaine Alquist's shoes."

Alquist, a former state Assembly member who represented Mountain View for six years in Sacramento, presented herself as an advocate for schools and health care during the campaign and said she would work to ensure that Californian's tax dollars are spent wisely.

Because the 13th Senate District -- which includes Mountain View -- is home to nearly two times as many registered Democrats as Republicans, Alquist is strongly favored to win the general election in November.

Current state Assembly member Diaz placed education, health care for children and affordable housing high on his priority list, and was endorsed by the California Democratic Party among others. But at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, with roughly 40 percent of the district's precincts reporting, Diaz made an early announcement that sounded close to a concession speech.

"It doesn't look like we're going to make it," he told the crowd gathered at his campaign headquarters in San Jose. His supporters remained upbeat, responded with claps and then began chanting his name. Diaz told them they were welcome to stay, but they would be in for a long night.

As he walked away, one woman stopped to blot the tears in her eyes.

What began as an otherwise friendly campaign turned vicious last week when Diaz alleged that Alquist's campaign told voters he had ducked child support payments. Alquist denied the accusations and her supporters said they were disgusted by Diaz's tactics in the final days of the race.

"Elaine didn't make any personal attacks and she didn't bring anyone's family members into the race," said Denelle Fedor, Alquist's friend and supporter.

Diaz's wife Sandra said she wasn't surprised the campaign grew nasty. "It's just expected," she said. "We knew we weren't going to strike first."

Back in Sunnyvale, after Alquist accepted the nomination and spoke on a small stage surrounded by her friends and supporters, it was time for dessert.

"Come on senator, cut the cake," yelled a supporter in the crowd.

Alquist paused. "You all understand there is a general election in November," she said. The crowd responded with laughter.

E-mail Grace Rauh at grauh@mv-voice.com

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