RUNNER TO FACE BYNUM IN FALL 2ND DISTRICT KEEPS MABEN.

Byline: JIM SKEEN Staff Writer

LANCASTER -- Antelope Valley voters selected Sharon Runner to vie against Robert ``Bo'' Bynum in the 36th Assembly District while Kern County voters re-elected Don Maben as supervisor and set up a runoff election for sheriff.

In the region's highest-profile battle, incumbent Runner handily won the Republican primary in her bid for a third term with 66.3 percent of the vote compared with 33.7 percent for her challenger, Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford.

In post-election comments, Runner expressed annoyance at being challenged by Ledford in the primary instead of him waiting until 2008 to run, when term limits would force her out.

``It's unfortunate I had to spend a lot of time and energy that could have been used for Jessica's Law,'' a November ballot initiative that would impose new restrictions on registered sex offenders, Runner said. ``It's burned some bridges for him among my supporters and it burned some bridges with the leadership in the Assembly. They don't want someone who challenges a safe seat.''

As for the November election, Runner said she is not taking re-election for granted, but feels quite good about her prospects for returning to the Assembly given the district's strong Republican voter registration. Republicans outnumber Democrats 87,000 to 70,000.

Ledford said he that while he was disappointed with the election results, the campaign gave him an opportunity to speak his mind. Ledford declined to say whether he'll run again in 2008, but did say that state office remains an ambition.

``My (immediate) goal is to be the best mayor I can,'' Ledford said.

As for Runner's ``burned bridges'' comment, Ledford said, ``That bridge was burned a long time ago.''

Bynum, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary, said the strongest candidate emerged from the Republican primary in Runner. Bynum said he was looking forward to a clean, issues-oriented campaign.

``I'd like this race to be about the issues and concerns of the district, not about negavitity,'' Bynum said.

In Kern County, voters returned Don Maben for a second term as the 2nd District supervisor. Maben received just over 64 percent of the vote compared with 35.5 percent received by challenger Rick Zanutto.

``I'm real pleased voters had the confidence to return me for another four years,'' Maben said.

His first priority will be trying to reform the county's election department, Maben said.

On election day, there were a number of troubles, including a problem with computer access cards that would not open up ballots for voters.

Other priorities include protecting Edwards Air Force Base and Mojave Airport from encroachment and getting new planning guidelines in place for the community of Rosamond. Maben said he wants the Rosamond planning documents to cover quality-of-life issues, such as trail systems and parks.

The 2nd District covers southeast Kern, including the communities of Rosamond, Mojave, California City and Tehachapi.

Also in Kern County, a runoff election will be held Nov. 7 for sheriff featuring incumbent Mack Wimbish and former sheriff's Cmdr. Donny Youngblood. In a field of seven candidates, Wimbish received 27 percent of the vote while Youngblood received 25 percent.

Youngblood is touting his experience, which includes 30 years in the department before retiring, and his endorsement by former Sheriff Carl Sparks.

Wimbish, a former California Highway Patrol officer who was elected sheriff in 2002, is touting his fiscal management and his efforts to modernize the department. Wimbish is endorsed by Maben.

james.skeen(at)dailynews

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(1 -- color) RUNNER

(2) BYNUM