Sullenger 'happy' in Sutter County supervisor's race

Ron Sullenger looked headed to a victory in the runoff race for Sutter County Board of Supervisors, District 1, with a 200-plus-vote lead and all 10 precincts counted on Tuesday night.

With 2,027 votes, Sullenger had 53 percent to 47 percent for Jeff Boone.

"Obviously, I'm feeling relatively happy about the outcome," said Sullenger, a farmer and semi-retired small-business owner. "I think it's time to make changes in county government in terms of streamlining, and that has to happen because the tax base isn't improving."

Sullenger said he felt his consistent message of bringing a private-sector mentality to government connected with voters in the area, which extends from northern Yuba City to include all of Live Oak and the county's northern border.

"I really want to try to be a true representative of people and do what they expect me to do," Sullenger said.

Boone, also a small-business owner and farmer, said he didn't see a clear winner yet.

"The night's still young," he said, as he trailed at about 11 p.m. "We're going to wait to make any big statement until we see some more numbers."

Because of several outstanding provisional and vote-by-mail ballots, Boone said, he believed the numbers could still change.

Boone, too, had said fiscal prudence would be his focus, but particularly focused on bringing a regional wastewater treatment plant to the county.

The two men were running to replace Sutter County Supervisor Larry Montna, who earlier said he wouldn't run for another term. Boone and Sullenger received the most votes during the June election, with Boone receiving 756 to 718 for Sullenger, though no one of six candidates received a majority of votes.

Boone subsequently received endorsements from several Live Oak elected officials, while two other supervisorial candidates in June endorsed Sullenger.

CONTACT Ben van der Meer at bvandermeer@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4786. Find him on Facebook at /ADbvandermeer or on Twitter at @ADbvandermeer.