Michael Vargas, Stephanie Spurlin in close race for Elk Grove Unified School District Area 2

 

This year the Elk Grove Unified School District will install one new Trustee. 

After Area 2 Trustee Dr. Crystal Martinez-Alire decided against seeking a third term, two candidates entered the race - Stephanie Spurlin and Michael Vargas.

After the release of three tranches, Vargas is leading Spurlin by 53 to 46 percent. Vargas has 2,349 votes to Spurlin's 2,033. 

The results are surprising, given how each candidate conducted their campaigns.

Vargas has actively campaigned with at least one mailer, lawn signs, high community visibility, and a slew of high-profile endorsements. Along with endorsements from all members of the EGUSD Board of Trustees and the Democratic Party of Sacramento County, Vargas is supported by Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and U.S. Ami Bera. 

Conversely, Spurlin has not conducted a visible campaign. Aside from a few interviews, she has no lawn signs, mailers, or social media presence. 

In her interviews, Spurlin noted her role as a union representative and identified as a retired registered nurse. Vargas is an attorney. 

Even though Vargas ran, by comparison, a vigorous campaign, as more tallies are released, Spurlin is within striking range of taking the lead. The vote tally will be updated at 4 p.m. today.