Legislature: Nielsen, Logue remain in place

The Yuba-Sutter area appeared likely to have continued Republican representation in Sacramento, with Dan Logue and Jim Nielsen both on the verge of winning seats in the state Assembly and Senate, respectively.

Logue, R-Loma Rica, appeared likely to win a final two-year term over Democrat Charles Rouse of Corning, while Nielsen, an assemblyman not running for a final term there, was eking out a bare majority to avoid a senate runoff in January.

"There's still a lot of counting going on," said Nielsen, R-Gerber, who was running in a special election for the 4th State Senate District on the same ballot as the general election. "I'm gratified with the support I've gotten from some of the new counties I'm running in."

Nielsen, who served in the state Senate in the 1980s, said he felt comfortable with the vote totals where they were, but he was also prepared for a runoff if necessary with the second-highest vote getter, most likely Democrat Mickey Harrington of Magaila.

Harrington, a retired union official and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. employee, has ran unsuccessfully for state Assembly three times. He could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

If Nielsen can't avoid a runoff, part of the reason could be the presence of fellow Republican Logue on the ballot. Logue, who entered the race and then pulled out for health reasons after it was too late to have his name removed from the ballot, was receiving about 11 percent of the vote, good for third.

He was followed by Chico schools trustee Jann Reed, Chico-area rancher/student Dan Levine and Nevada County resident Ben Emery, who also dropped out of the race.

Logue, a former Yuba County supervisor, said he'd work with Nielsen in the Legislature on issues of importance to the region if Logue won the 3rd Assembly District.

"Almost 50 percent of the district is all new, so it's a little surprising," Logue said. "Our message on jobs and protecting water is something that resonates up here."

His opponent, Rouse, said he was hopeful more votes being counted in Butte County, the largest in the district, might improve his chances.

"That's about half the district, and we want to see how that's going," said Rouse, a small farmer and retired postal employee. "That said, he's doing quite well, and I recognize that."

Rouse said he'd acknowledge it's difficult running in a district where Republicans have the edge in registration, but he didn't see it as insurmountable.

"I'm more about issues than party," he said.

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