Sandoval confident on Election Day

PASSAIC – Sandoval headquarters appears under siege by the campaigns of the two other Latino mayoral candidates.

First, there’s the Blanco presence two doors down from Sandoval’s front door, where a huge sign stands at the head of the block, as if to make it clear this is Blanco country.

Of course, Sandoval owns half the buildings on the block.

At the other end of the street, a gathering of red-shirted Garcia forces shake their signs at passing cars underneath an enormous Sandoval sign on the side of one of Sandoval’s houses.

They look like they’re claiming territory.

“Smoke and mirrors,” sighs Linda Ellerbee, Sandoval’s campaign manager.

The campaign here is gearing up for the evening push.

Sandoval appears. He’s here to charge up his phone before he goes out for another, last crack at the voters.

“I’ve been in every ward,” says Sandoval. “Some of the machines have been frozen or didn’t cast a vote, but the Deputy AG took care of those things. A lot of people came out to vote. It’s amazing. The weather cooperated. We have 300 volunteers out there on the streets.”

He’s confident that his campaign drilled home the message.

“It’s simple. If you like change, I’m the candidate, if you want to continue the status quo, vote for any of the other four guys,” he says.

Two words at least are true of this election so far.

“High turnout,” says Ellerbee. “An average of 50 percent voted by 2 p.m.”

The 1st District reported turnout by 38 percent of registered voters, 47 percent in the 2nd Ward, 73 percent in the 3rd Ward and 44 percent in the 4th Ward.

Outside, the Garcia troops are rowdy.

“I tried that once,” says Sandoval. “People with signs, making a lot of noise. It doesn’t work. You just have to get out there.”