Orange County, CA DA: Rackauckas (R) vs. Spitzer (R)

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Who wins the Orange County, CA District Attorney runoff? Incumbent Tony Rackauckas won every supervisorial district in the primary. Rackauckas easily won the 1st and 2nd, while narrowly winning the 3rd, 4th, and 5th in the primary. Who wins the runoff? Who will win each district in runoff?

Primary results:
Tony Rackauckas (R): 38.5%
Todd Spitzer (R): 35.2%
Brett Murdock (D): 22.4%
Lenore Albert-Sheridan (D): 3.8%

Primary map:

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Some info about candidate's views (and differences, if any) would be useful.

They're both law and order conservatives. Rackauckas is accused of extorting prisoners to win convictions. Rackauckas lives in the 2nd, his best district. Spitzer lives in the 3rd, losing it by only 30 votes in the primary. Spitzer lost the 5th, his best, by just 28 votes in the primary. The 1st and 4th are the most Democratic, but both Democrats were eliminated in the primary. Spitzer raised more money than Rackauckas.

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The jailhouse snitch scandal involving Rackauckas has been going on for decades. This has led to Spitzer becoming the first serious challenger to Rackauckas. Rackauckas is behind in fundraising. The ACLU even sued Rackauckas. Rackauckas has the most baggage of the two candidates.

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The US Department of Justice is investigating the largest jailhouse informant scandal in American history. County elections are nonpartisan. Without having an (R) printed on next to their names, who will win the Democratic vote?

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The US Department of Justice is investigating the largest jailhouse informant scandal in American history. County elections are nonpartisan. Without having an (R) printed on next to their names, who will win the Democratic vote?

I think it's pretty obvious Spitzer wins the Democratic vote. He may have even won it over Murdock in the primary. The question is more of whether that's enough, i.e., does Spitzer become de facto the Democratic candidate or does he continue to have substantial Republican support as well?

I think, given the primary results, it will be quite an uphill battle for Rackauckas to stay in office, but we shall see.

Spitzer is still a reliable conservative. He will continue to have GOP support.

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Does Rackauckas get Blanched? The primary was close.

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I have seen many signs for Spitzer lately. Rackauckas is DOA if Democrats turn out.

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I presume Rackauckas will retire after the next term if he wins reelection.

I would prefer Rackauckas hold on then Dems could have a shot at the open seat in 2022.

If Spitzer wins this year, barring a gargantuan scandal, he'll hold the office for as long as he wants.

If Rackauckas wins, the seat won't open in 2022. Rackauckas will resign before his term expires and appoint a crony to hold the seat. Rackauckas is trying to prevent the seat from opening in 2022.

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Democrat Brett Murdock, who was defeated in the primary, endorses Spitzer. Will it help Spitzer's cause?

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I'd say lean Spitzer, but I'm not familiar with Orange County.

Both candidates are staunch conservatives. Rackauckas is being challenged because of an illegal jailhouse informant scandal that has been going on for decades.

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I'd say lean Spitzer, but I'm not familiar with Orange County.

Both candidates are staunch conservatives. Rackauckas is being challenged because of an illegal jailhouse informant scandal that has been going on for decades.

Spitzer should get some Democrat support, maybe just enough, because of the scandal.

Brett Murdock, the top Democrat in the primary, endorses Spitzer.

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I had a student called Rackauckas last year. I wonder if they're related.

From Orange County? If so, I think they might be related.

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Rackauckas just made another huge mistake as part of a publicity stunt. Rackauckas is getting desperate. I wish this race would be polled.

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Rackauckas just made another huge mistake as part of a publicity stunt. Rackauckas is getting desperate. I wish this race would be polled.

Isn't this race listed as non partisan on the ballot. I saw an attack ad by the Spitzer campaign the other day. I don't live in Orange County though.

The race is nonpartisan on the ballot. Democrat Brett Murdock, who was defeated in the primary, endorses Spitzer.

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Is this good news for Spitzer? Early returns are higher than expected, showing Spitzer ahead with 53%.