A special election with a price tag of more than $1 million is on for March, even though only one candidate filed to put her name on the ballot, state and county elections officials said Thursday. The name of Republican Sharon Runner will be the only one to appear on on the certified list of candidates sent out by the California Secretary of State’s office. The special primary election for the 21st Senate District seat vacated by Congressman Steve Knight is scheduled March 17, according to state and county elections officials. “It’s mandated we still have an election, even though there’s one candidate,” said Regina Ip, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Office of Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The special election carries about a $1.4 million price tag in Los Angeles County, Ip said.
Election officials in San Bernardino County could not be reached for information on the cost of the election for them.
The 21st district covers most of the Santa Clarita and Victor valleys as well as the Antelope Valley south of the Kern County line. The district also stretches into San Bernardino County.
Part of the rationale for continuing with the election is that someone could mount a write-in campaign for the seat. As of Thursday, Ip said, nobody had pulled papers in L.A. County to run as a write-in candidate.
Full Article: Despite lack of challengers, special election still on for Senate seat.