To the community,

As candidate for El Dorado County Auditor-Controller, I conceded the race to incumbent Joe Harn as the latest vote counts were released as of June 15.

I have to admit I am kind of surprised by the results. I had a great deal of community, grass-roots support and enthusiasm from both volunteers and donors along with some great endorsements.

The most recent results are reported as total votes 48,970, Joe Harn 25,454 51.98 percent, Mike Owen 23,415 47.81 percent. Harn, who has held the post for 24 years, held an advantage of about 2,000 votes of the nearly 50,000 votes cast. I estimate that there a few ballots left to be counted, but the remaining votes are unlikely to change the overall result.

With just a few ballots left to count it appears that if 1,000 votes for Harn had gone to Owen, EDC would have a new auditor/controller.  

It’s an unfortunate fact that political incumbents are re-elected about 92 percent of the time. -In my case, my opponent’s reelection campaigns have been financed by out-of-the-area donors. That appears to explain finance disclosures showing Harn spending almost $90,000 just before voting started according to Harn’s latest campaign disclosure statement.

I will support the voter’s decision and respect the election results.

My 2018 campaign earned the endorsements of many including El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agositini and Placerville Mayor Wendy Thomas as well many winery owners and the El Dorado County Association of Realtors.

Mike Owen, auditor candidate