Humboldt County: California’s Bernie Sanders Stronghold | Primary Election Results

Humboldt County, California, stood apart in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, delivering a majority vote for Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton – a result unique within the state.

According to final results reported by the Lost Coast Outpost, Sanders secured 13,245 votes, representing 67.18% of the county’s Democratic primary electorate, while Clinton received 6,036 votes, or 30.61%. The outcome contrasted sharply with the statewide results, where Clinton won California with a significant margin.

The preference for Sanders in Humboldt County echoed a pattern observed in Northern Nevada counties during the same primary season, where the Vermont senator also enjoyed strong support, attributed to a robust grassroots presence. The Great Basin Sun reported at the time that Sanders’ campaign benefited from strong local organization in the region.

Vicky Rock, then president of the Humboldt County Democrats, described the caucus process as generally smooth, despite some initial challenges with vote tallying. The county ultimately allocated 53 delegates to Sanders and 27 to Clinton, reflecting the 66% to 34% vote share reported during the county caucus, as noted by the Great Basin Sun.

Attendees at the Humboldt County caucuses expressed a variety of motivations for their support. Kari Randle, a first-time caucus participant, told the Great Basin Sun she favored Sanders because she believed he prioritized the interests of the middle class. Another Clinton supporter, Uriel Castellanos, cited the economic benefits experienced by his family during Bill Clinton’s presidency as a reason for his vote.

The election results in Humboldt County were part of a broader national contest that ultimately saw Clinton secure the Democratic nomination. However, the county’s strong showing for Sanders highlighted a regional divergence in voter preferences, even as Clinton won the California primary as reported by Wikipedia.

Data from the Humboldt County Elections office, as reported by the Lost Coast Outpost, showed significant support for other candidates as well, though far behind Sanders and Clinton. Willie Wilson received 58 votes, Michael Steinberg 56, Keith Judd 40, Henry Hewes 24, and Roque de la Fuente 10.