From the Globe Political Desk

Sixteenth Assembly District candidate Sandré Swanson captured 64.8 percent of the vote (24 of the 37 voting delegates in support) last Saturday at the Democratic Party’s Region 2006 Pre-Endorsement Conference, held in Oakland.
    Swanson said of the endorsement recommendation, “I am honored to have received such a strong show of support from the Democratic grassroots in our district. I respect the decisions of these party members because they have historically done the hard work to win campaigns. I have been a lifelong Democrat, working in this community my entire career. I am pleased that my 30-year record of service and my campaign priorities to promote the education, health and safety of our children have won their support during this first round of voting.”
    From the regional endorsement process, if one candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the seat will be considered at the state convention on April 29.
    If Swanson holds his margin of support and gathers 60 percent or more of the votes at the Sacramento convention, he will become the Democratic Party’s officially endorsed can didate in the June 6 election.
    Two other candidates seeking the endorsement were John Russo, who finished second with 21.6 percent of the vote (8 delegates in support), and Ronnie Caplane, who came in third with 8 percent of the vote (3 delegates in support).
    Two delegates voted for no endorsement.