Peters extends lead against demaio in latest absentee count

_Updated 10 p.m. Nov. 7, 2014_ Rep. Scott Peters extended his lead against Republican challenger Carl DeMaio, according to the latest result released Friday from the San Diego Registrar of

Voters. Peters is now leading DeMaio 4,491 votes out of more than 180,000 votes cast in the 52nd Congressional district. “We are thrilled with (Friday’s) vote update, particularly given the

tough Election Night Democrats had across the country,” campaign manager MaryAnne Pintar said. “This lead reflects the support Rep. Peters received from across the political spectrum and the

tremendous get out the vote effort by our field staff and hundreds of volunteers over the weekend and on Election Day. At the end of Election Night counting, DeMaio was leading by around

750 votes. This surge of absentee votes for Peters matches a trend in the race between Peters and Brian Bilbray, according to Vince Vasquez, an analyst for the National University System

Institute for Policy Research. The trend is expected to continue to favor Peters, he said. After Friday’s count, the Associated Press is projecting a win for Peters. With around 10,000

ballots left to count in the district, the wire service has determined that number is insufficient for DeMaio to win. Because of the contentious nature of the race, a recount challenge is a

possibility, but the Registrar of Voters said a challenge could not be issued until the election is certified on Dec. 2. In the other close race in county, the Imperial Beach mayoral race is

still to close to call. Incumbent Jim Janney is leading challenger Serge Dedina by 50 votes. Dedina had vowed not to concede until all the absentee and provisional ballots are counted.

Countywide, there are around 103,000 ballots yet to be counted by the Registrar. The next update won’t be until Monday afternoon.