Every vote counts in Silicon Valley, where two congressional candidates literally tied for second place

Assemblymember Evan Low, left, Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, center, and former San José Mayor Sam Liccardo are vying to fill California’s 16th Congressional District seat. In an astounding outcome for a closely-watched Silicon Valley congressional primary, two second-place candidates have finished with the exact same number of votes — meaning both will be on the November ballot, along with first-place finisher, former San José Mayor Sam Liccardo. A three-way general election happened in an Assembly race in 2016, when former Assemblymember Autumn Burke faced off against two other candidates, as California Target Book research director Rob Pyers noted on Wednesday. Low thanked his supporters in a statement Thursday, saying this “historically close race shows that every vote really counts.” Liccardo’s campaign also put out a statement after the results were finalized, with consultant Orrin Evans saying they welcomed “the opportunity to continue to talk to voters about the issues facing our communities, including the high cost of living, utility rates and housing and Sam’s long record of fighting on behalf of residents.” In a statement thanking supporters Thursday, Simitian said: “Sometimes it takes a while for democracy to work.