John Benoit Wins Supervisor Seat; Pacheco Loses DA’s Race

When John Benoit went to bed Tuesday night, the numbers were to close to call in the Riverside Board of Supervisors race. The position he was appointed to was up in the air.

Wednesday morning dawned new numbers, giving him a clear victory over his competitor Gary Jeandron.

John BenoitGary Jeandron

Benoit had claimed Jeandron played a dirty campaign at times. In interviews live on News Channel 3 on election night, however, Jeandron countered back, saying Benoit was misinformed, that Jeandron was simply presenting the truth.

Benoit was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to take the seat on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, leaving his post in the state senate, to replace the late Roy Wilson.

Meantime in Riverside, the end of an era for District Attorney Rod Pacheco. The incumbent trailed all night long.

Final numbers Wednesday morning from the Riverside County Elections Office show Pacheco losing his job to Judge Paul Zellerbach.

Paul ZellerbachRod Pacheco