Politics & Government

Updated: Chad Walsh vs. Paul Fong Come November

Due to new 'top-two' open primary system, approved by voters in 2010, both candidates will square off in general election this fall.

Update: 10 a.m., June 6: With all precincts reporting in Tuesday's election, Democratic Assemblyman Paul Fong had earned 28,326 votes, or 53.68 percent and West Valley-Mission Community College Trustee Chad Walsh had gotten 24,442, or 46.32 percent.

The candidates ran a tight race in the Primary Presidential Election and they'll battle it out once again Nov. 6. Just under 4,000 votes separated these two contenders who now have five months to prepare for the general election this fall.

Fong, 59, D-Mountain View, is hoping to get re-elected in the 28th Assembly District, but he's being challenged by

Find out what's happening in Los Gatoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The district includes Los Gatos, Campbell, Cupertino and Saratoga.

San Jose State University political scientist Larry Gerston said incumbent Fong comes from a district that's heavily Democratic and is inheriting new territory with the

Find out what's happening in Los Gatoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Walsh was a Republican until recently, when he became a so-called "no party preference" candidate because he, along with other contenders during the open primary election, thought that in a heavily Democratic district it's better to run as an Independent than as a Republican, Gerston explained.

"If Fong walks away with a 60-40 vote, it's reasonable to believe that chances are that he'll prevail," Gerston added.

The candidates now each have five months to prepare for the general election, Gerston noted.

To see the final election results, please click


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here