It’s official — Heather Moreno wins SLO County supervisor race. See the certified results

Stephanie Zappelli
·2 min read

The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s Office certified the March primary election results on Wednesday — confirming Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno’s victory in the District 5 county supervisor race.

“I’m excited for the next steps and serving the county next year,” Moreno told The Tribune on Friday. “I want to thank everybody for their trust, their support and everything they’ve put into this campaign.”

Moreno won 2,161 more votes than her opponent, Atascadero Mayor Pro Tem Susan Funk, according to the official election results.

Moreno had 9,551 votes, or 56.4%, while Funk had 7,390 votes, or 43.6%, the report said.

Voter turnout reached almost 54% in District 5 with 17,820 ballots counted.

Funk congratulated Moreno on her win, and said she will continue to serve the remainder of her term on the Atascadero City Council, which ends in 2026.

“You can count on me to continue to raise issues and continue to work respectfully with everyone,” Funk told The Tribune on Friday.

Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno, left, and Councilmember Susan Funk ran for the District 5 San Luis Obispo County supervisor seat currently held by Debbie Arnold. Courtesy photos
Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno, left, and Councilmember Susan Funk ran for the District 5 San Luis Obispo County supervisor seat currently held by Debbie Arnold. Courtesy photos

Incumbent county supervisors Dawn Ortiz-Legg and John Peschong also won their seats representing District 3 and District 1, respectively.

County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano certified the election about a week before the April 4 deadline.

“California’s system isn’t quick, but it is accurate, and it ensures that every eligible vote is counted,” Cano said in a news release Wednesday.

San Miguel resident Darcia Stebbens observes the staff count ballots at the San Luis Obispo County Elections Office in March 2024. Erin Clausen
San Miguel resident Darcia Stebbens observes the staff count ballots at the San Luis Obispo County Elections Office in March 2024. Erin Clausen

SLO County had higher voter turnout than neighbors

In San Luis Obispo County, 92,526 voters cast a ballot in the primary election — bringing voter participation overall to 52.3%, according to the release from the Clerk-Recorder’s Office.

The county’s voter turnout was higher than the statewide average of 34%, the release said.

Additionally, a higher percentage of SLO County residents showed up to vote than residents of neighboring counties. Voter turnout was 32% in Monterey County and 42% in Santa Barbara County, according to the release.

“SLO County voters did a good job turning out for the primary, and we look forward to even more participation in the November General Election,” Cano said in the release.

San Luis Obispo County voters also preferred to vote by mail. Of the total ballots counted, 94.3% were mail-in ballots and 5.7% were poll ballots cast on Election Day, the release said.