KELSEYVILLE— Tuesday evening was a long night for many, as the primary elections came to a close as polls closed at 8 p.m. and counting of ballots from the Registrar of Voters began.
From 7 to 9 p.m. District 5 Supervisor and incumbent Jessica Pyska hosted an electoral results watch party at the A+H General Store on Main Street in Kelseyville. Carmelita’s Cocina and other local restaurants provided appetizers like egg rolls, nachos, and quesadillas alongside sweets like cookies and scones. Kelsey Creek Brewery beer was served as well as local wines, complete with champagne for celebrating.
With many of the 30 plus guests residing in the district, the topic of fire safety and the devastating effects of the Valley Fire came up rather often. Valley Fire victim Christina Drukala expressed her gratitude for Pyska’s continued efforts stating, “Being a homeowner, again, I know my community is safer against fire. I see the Soda Bay Corridor, I see the grants cleaning up the Black Forest, I see progress. Real, measurable progress.” Drukala became friends with Pyska through their work with the Cobb Area Council, which began after the Valley Fire in 2015 but continues to this day.
Around 8:40 p.m. Pyska made a phone call, and after she hung up everyone cheered, popping champagne and jeering over early numbers. Pyska made a quick speech sharing, “I am so grateful for all of your support all of you guys have been amazing… I feel very confident and very positive about these results.” She explained her electoral journey and personal mission noting “Thank you for being here tonight, for putting up signs, donating, talking to people, everything.” Pyska ended her speech stating, “This is a really special community and I know it means a lot to all of us and to all off you to keep the positive progress going.”
Pyska’s entire family was present to celebrate the early counts with her, cheering and applauding the good news through wide smiles. John Jennings, Pyska’s father, beamed “We are very proud.”
Overwhelmed by the suspense and excitement Pyska bid her supporters farewell and concluded the evening stating “Being surrounded by my family, friends and all my supporters has made this such a special night.”
Although the results have not been certified, the preliminary unofficial counts of eight precincts in District 5 totaling about 22 percent of the 8,283 registered voters (1,855 ballots cast) showed Pyska successfully fending off challenger Daniel “Boone” Bridges 56.75 percent to 43.25 percent. The vote by mail count stood at 39.43 percent for Bridges and 60.57 percent for Pyska.
