By Cecily Barnes
Capitalizing on built-in name recognition, a predominantly Democratic district and a Clinton re-election, Elaine White Alquist beat her Republican opponent for the 22nd Assembly District by a 25 percent margin .
Alquist received 60.5 percent, or 67,504 votes, while Karin Dowdy tallied only 35.5 percent, or 39,624 votes. Natural Law Party candidate Frank Strutner came in far behind with 4,365 votes, or 3.9 percent.
"I think it reflects the great level of community involvement that we had and it reflects the great grass roots support that we had. This was not an insiders race. This was a race where we had good turnout and support for what many of us believe in," said Alquist.
Alquist spent much of her evening at the County Registrar of Voters watching the results come in. Once it became apparent she was the victor, the elated candidate joined the United Democratic Campaign Party at San Jose's Hyatt hotel.
Dowdy would not speak with a reporter, but campaign manager Alex Alanis had some words to say about Dowdy's emotions.
"To put it mildly," said a somber Alanis "she is very disappointed in the press. Her confidence in the media is somewhat shattered."
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, November 6, 1996.
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