Morrell Takes More Than 57 Percent in 40th Assembly, Warner Upbeat, Positive

In the 40th State Assembly District on Tuesday, incumbent Mike Morrell took 57.89 percent of 38,149 votes counted and challenger Russ Warner took 42.11 percent, in a two-candidate race that automatically goes to runoff in November.

Warner, D-Rancho Cucamonga, gathered with supporters Tuesday night at the Mexico Cafe on Highland Avenue in San Bernardino to monitor election returns, and Warner was upbeat.

"We knew this was going to be a low voter turnout, and in November you're going to have three times as many people coming out to vote," Warner said just before 10 p.m. Tuesday.

"We were estimating that I would get somewhere between 36 and 38 percent of the vote," Warner said. "Anything above that is gold. It'll be a runoff no matter what. I'm going to be able to work really hard, everyone knew I was going to make it through the primary because it's only the opponent and myself.

"I run as an independent Democrat. . . . I'm very excited about it. I know Mike Morrell and that's my opponent and I feel that I'm the best fit for this district. I've been here 32 years and I'm an independent businessman."

"You have some very well-educated people. You have blue collar workers. You have all tyoes of different people out here, and with one of the highest unemployment rates in the state.

"In Loma Linda and Redlands, their unemployment rate might not be as high as San Bernardino, but I know it's about jobs," Warner said. "We need someone who's going to really be able to create jobs not just talk about it. Someone who's going to be able to go to Sacramento and reach across the aisle to Republicans as well."

"Bringing Jobs Back" is listed at the top of an Issues page on the Mike Morrell for Assembly 2012 website. Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga, was not available to comment for this report.

Morrell has pledged to vote to reduce government red tape and regulations, to make California business friendly again, and to end the small business start up tax, according to his campaign's issues page.

Morrell also opposes new taxes and spending. He has pledged to vote against any new taxes or fees, to reduce wasteful spending and job-killing laws, and to defend Proposition 13.