SAN JOSE — Voters were poised to elect veteran prosecutor Johnene Stebbins in a rare contested election for an open Santa Clara County Superior Court judge seat, after a race that pitted two veterans with the county district attorney’s office.
Stebbins was leading with a 9-point margin on returns representing 35% of the county electorate when her opponent and boss, Chief Assistant District Attorney Jay Boyarsky, conceded the race Tuesday night.
“I am deeply honored by the trust that the people of Santa Clara County have placed in me to serve as a Superior Court judge,” Stebbins said in a statement to this news organization. “This campaign was built on a shared commitment to justice and integrity, and I am grateful for the opportunity to carry those principles forward on the bench. To everyone who supported me, volunteered, and believed in me, thank you. I look forward to continuing to serve my community.”
Boyarsky on Tuesday night voiced his gratitude to his supporters in a statement that served as a concession speech.
“Thank you to the hundreds of people who gave their time, their money, hosted an event for me and lent their name to this effort,” Boyarsky said in a statement. “I’m sorry that I fell short. I tried to run a campaign that would make you proud, regardless of the outcome.”
Stebbins, a Milpitas native who graduated from UC Berkeley and earned her law degree at the UC Davis School of Law, has worked for the DA’s office for 26 years and prosecuted cases encompassing a wide area, including juvenile law, domestic violence, narcotics, sexual assaults and consumer protection.
She currently litigates environmental and fish and wildlife violations and crimes. Stebbins also carried the endorsement of Judge Vincent Chiarello, whose retirement opened up the seat that she and Boyarsky were competing to fill.
