Tracy Mayor Robert Rickman jumped out to an early lead on Tuesday night in the race for the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisor’s Fifth District – holding an edge of more than 2,000 votes against the nearest challenger.

Rickman, who came under fire for comments made during the campaign about homeless people in Tracy, racked up 4,076 votes in early returns according to the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters website – ballots that were returned before the election by mail.

Rhodesia Ransom, also a member of the Tracy City Council, had accrued 1,824 votes followed by Veronica Vargas – the third Tracy city council member vying for the seat – earned 1,520.

The race is to replace outgoing Supervisor Bob Elliott who was trailing in early returns on Tuesday night for the 9th Congressional District.

The top two candidates will move on to the November primary.

The Fifth District includes Manteca south of Yosemite Avenue, Tracy, and Mountain House.

In the Third Supervisorial District, incumbent Tom Patti had secured 5,356 votes to challenger Elbert Holman’s 3,895 – a lead of more than 15 percent in early ballot returns.

Because of the sheer number of people in San Joaquin County that vote by mail, it could take up to a month to tabulate all of the votes cast in the primary election which was expected to draw a large of number of participants.

The Third District includes Manteca north of Yosemite Avenue, Lathrop, and parts of Stockton.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.