Santa Barbara County Sheriff and lieutenant face off for Sheriff-Coroner position

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – The race for Santa Barbara County’s Sheriff-Coroner has been one to watch.

Lt. Juan Camarena ran against his boss, Sheriff Bill Brown.

On election day, Camarena spent the day talking to his supporters in the Santa Ynez Valley, while Brown went to work and joined a conference call about gun violence.

Camarena joined friends for a watch party at the Sunstone Winery in Santa Ynez, while Brown joined friends at the Courthouse Tavern in Santa Barbara.

When the early returns were announced Brown supporters cheered.

Brown had 57% of the vote as of Wednesday morning, compared to Camarena's 43%.

Brown has been the sheriff for 15 years, with only one uncontested race.

He wore a lucky orange silk tie to the watch party and was among the last to leave what became a celebration.

Although it is a non-partisan position, the gathering included republicans and democrats.

Brown said he hopes people can work together to solve problems.

If the numbers continue to go his way, Brown said he intends to keep working on programs to prevent opioid overdoses and help people rehabilitate their lives after being released from custody.