Appointed incumbent Nevada County Clerk-Recorder Gregory Diaz handily beat challenger Barry Pruett in what might well have been the most controversial race Nevada County has seen in many years.

Meanwhile, another bruising contest appeared clear: Former county supervisor Sue Horne pulled way ahead of licensed real estate broker Rolf Kleinhans in early returns.

In the race for treasurer-tax collector, however, a run-off seemed likely between Dai Meagher and Tina Vernon.

With only absentee ballots counted by 10 p.m. Tuesday, Diaz declared victory in the clerk-recorder race:

“I wish to thank the citizens of Nevada County for recognizing the quality of the work of my colleagues and I in the clerk-recorder's office by returning me to office.... I am especially indebted to those who, like me, believe this office should be nonpartisan....

“I would also like to extend a note of appreciation to my opponent, Barry Pruett, for his willingness to run for public office — a civic duty not always easy to do.”

“I'd like to congratulate Greg on his election,” Pruett said, noting the final count was not yet in.

Pruett pointed to problems with bar codes on paper ballots that made them unreadable by precinct scanners.

“The events of today were a confirmation of what we were talking about during this election,” Pruett said. “I'm proud of the campaign we ran.”

Pruett repeatedly asserted during the campaign that the office run by Diaz was a “drama that needs to end.” The purchase of a new recording system from an outside firm that ended a 10-year relationship with AtPac Inc. of Auburn showed disdain for local business and a lack of good judgment, Pruett charged; AtPac's owner, who has filed suit against the county, donated to his campaign.

Diaz, meanwhile, alleged the Tea Party movement helped Pruett's campaign. He sent a controversial letter to supporters claiming Pruett and his supporters “are spending good money trying to take the position of clerk-recorder back to the days of unprofessionalism, scandal and partisan hack politics that we have spent so much time and effort reforming.”

Treasurer-tax collector

Accountant Dai Meagher appeared headed to a runoff with county financial analyst Tina Vernon for treasurer-tax collector.

By midnight, Meagher and Vernon were separated by a few dozen votes. Rick Nolle trailed Vernon in a distant third in early results.

The top two vote-getters will head to a runoff in the Nov. 2 general election.

“The runoff was expected,” Meagher said. “It's encouraging... I met so many people who were receptive to a CPA in Nevada County government.”

Vernon was confident about going to a November runoff.

“I'll be getting out there and meeting the people and, hopefully, we'll take it in November,” Vernon said. “This is kind of what I predicted all along.”

Assessor

Horne and Kleinhans traded barbs over their qualifications in the assessor race.

Her lead in the early returns “is a good indicator, at this point,” Horne said late Tuesday. “I'm thrilled and very grateful for the tremendous support tonight.”

Uncontested races

Winners of uncontested races in Nevada County offices are:

• Auditor-controller: Marcia Salter (incumbent)

• County supervisor, District 4: Hank Weston (incumbent)

• Superintendent of schools: Holly Hermansen (appointed incumbent)

• District Attorney: Clifford Newell (incumbent)

• Sheriff: Keith Royal (incumbent)

• Superior court judge: Candace Heidelberger (appointed incumbent)

To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4229.

2010 California primary election (contested races)

12.33 percent of Nevada County precincts reporting as of Tuesday's deadline

ASSESSOR

• Sue Horne: 61.6%

• Rolf Kleinhans: 38.5%

CLERK-RECORDER

• Gregory Diaz (appointed incumbent): 69.6%

• Barry Pruett: 30.4%

TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR

• Dai Meagher: 28.1%

• Rick Nolle: 24%

• Tina Vernon: 27.7%

• Darlene Woo: 20.2%

COUNTY SUPERVISOR, District 3

• Terry Lamphier: 49.9%

• John Spencer (incumbent): 50.1%

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY, District 3

• Dan Logue (incumbent, Republican): 100%

• Christina Billeci (Democrat): 52%

• Mickey Harrington (Democrat): 48%

• Gary Bryant (Libertarian): 100%

CALIFORNIA SENATE, District 4

• Doug LaMalfa (Republican): 44.5%

• Rick Keene (Republican): 55.5%

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

• Sam Aanestad (Republican, Grass Valley): 59%

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, 4th Congressional District

• Michael Babich (Republican): 19.7%

• Tom McClintock (incumbent, Republican): 80.3%

• Clint Curtis (Democrat): 100%

• Ben Emery (Green): 100%