Controversial anti-sprawl initiative Measure C was narrowly defeated Tuesday by Merced County voters after several months of contentious campaigning by both sides.
Tuesday night's latest results showed the measure was defeated by a 10 percentage point margin. With 85 percent of precincts reporting, more than 18,000 people voted against the measure, while roughly 14,000 voted for it.
"We put in a strong effort," said Alan Schoff, Measure C's spokesman. "We still believe that many people were fooled by the campaign that was run against it." Schoff said despite the loss he was proud of the clean campaign run by Citizens for Quality Growth. Now they plan to regroup and continue to educate the public about smart growth.
Joseph Farms CEO Mike Gallo, one of the measure's main opponents, couldn't be reached for comment.
The measure, which would have required a countywide vote to change the zoning of farmland or open space larger than 10 acres into residential uses, had divided the farming community and sparked a negative and sometimes confusing stream of ads and campaign material.
Measure C's opponents, which included farmer and developer Gallo along with other developers as well as farmers, the building industry and real estate interests, raised more than $100,000 to defeat the measure.
In contrast Measure C's supporters raised a little more than $50,000, much of that spent on paying to get the measure on the ballot.
On election night, a group of Measure C supporters filled a small backroom inside of Tary Boscolo's Pizzeria in Atwater awaiting results.
Jean Okuye, a farmer and Measure C supporter, said, "I feel good, like I've done the right thing."
Opponents of Measure C across the county were saying the same.
Reporter Jonah Owen Lamb can be reached at (209) 385-2484 or jlamb@mercedsun-star.com.
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