Palo Alto Police Chief Robert Jonsen remained on track Wednesday to be elected Santa Clara County's next sheriff.
With all of the county's 754 precincts reporting as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jonsen held the unofficial lead with 51.5% of the vote over retired sheriff's Capt. Kevin Jensen, who had 48.5%.
“Today I’ve actually been feeling pretty good about it. I mean, I’m very optimistic about the direction we’re headed. Very cautious obviously,” said Jonsen.
“I’m kind of used to the adversity. I’ve been fighting this for so long and I’m looking forward to making the changes,” said Jensen.
Jonsen and Jensen are seeking to replace Acting Sheriff Ken Binder, who was recently appointed to the interim position from undersheriff following the retirement of former Sheriff Laurie Smith.
Smith, after serving as sheriff for the past 24 years, announced earlier this year that she would not seek reelection amid an investigation into claims that the Sheriff's Office traded concealed carry weapon permits for campaign donations under her watch.
Smith abruptly retired on Halloween. Last Thursday, she was found guilty in a civil trial on six counts of corruption and willful misconduct related to the permit exchange scheme.
Before serving as Palo Alto's police chief, Jonsen served as the Menlo Park chief of police and spent some 27 years working in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department before retiring as a captain.
Jensen retired from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office in 2013. Before that, he had worked in assorted roles across the county jail system and the Sheriff's Office for three decades.
While the campaigns are over, the campaign rhetoric is not.
Jonson continued to stress the need to bring more transparency to the department.
“I think, actually, an openness. I’m very, that’s my style, I’m very open. Engaging, so I think that’s something they’ll notice immediately, especially the relationship with the board of supervisors, the outside auditor, and internally I’m going to be very engaged,” said Jonson.
But Jensen continues to scoff at those barbs, pointing out the deputies association and staff publicly supported him.
“I’m not perfect but I’m striving for excellence which means every day you’re getting better. That’s what they want,” he said. “They want reform, they want transparency, but they want it from somebody they trust. Who acts it out and has a career of that. Not somebody who came from three different departments and has a questionable past.”
Interestingly both said they would work hard to improve the embattled department, win or lose. A test that will come once we find out who actually does win.
