One thing that isn't lacking in the election campaign for the District 5 seat for Placer County supervisor is confidence.

Both the incumbent, Bruce Kranz, and the challenger, Jennifer Montgomery, feel they will defeat the other on Nov. 4.

Kranz, 59, a Republican from Weimar and a four-year veteran supervisor, may have the tougher road of the two.

In the June 3 primary election, Montgomery, a Democrat from Serene Lakes, received more votes than Kranz, 41 percent to 37 percent.

And Robert Houston, a Republican who finished third in the primary with 22 percent, is now endorsing Montgomery, 47, in the runoff.

Kranz believes he can win back Houston's Republican votes.

"In the primary, I was running against two people," he said.

"It's tough to run against two people, especially when one is (also a Republican)."

Montgomery thinks the Houston supporters will back her because she and Houston campaigned on similar issues in the primary.

"It was very important to get Bob's endorsement," she said.

"His supporters are calling us and offering to help. I've also talked to some of the people who voted for Bob, and they say they will vote for me or not vote at all."

The winner will represent a district that has the largest geographical area in Placer County.

District 5 encompasses communities east and north of Auburn.

It includes Foresthill, Meadow Vista, Colfax and the various communities along Interstate 80 to the Tahoe region and Nevada border.

Kranz may have lost some voters in the primary election because of his appointment of Michelle Ollar-Burris, a Realtor, to the Placer County Planning Commission.

Ollar-Burris was later removed by Kranz after news stories disclosed that she had split properties, a possible violation of the State Subdivision Map Act.

Kranz said he was aware of the questions about Ollar-Burris, but he kept waiting to see if the District Attorney's Office might prosecute her.

When no action was taken, he appointed her, Kranz said.

Montgomery said the appointment "raises questions about his judgment."

"If I were concerned about whether one of my potential appointees was doing something illegal … I would take it upon myself to follow up with some investigating," she said.

Montgomery said district voters have complained to her that Kranz presented himself in past elections as a protector of the environment but that his votes on development issues and his collecting of developer money for his campaigns contradict that image.

Kranz challenges the assertion.

"There's only been one major project that has not been a unanimous vote, and I'm the one who voted against it," he said.

The incumbent said he has no desire to champion development up the Interstate 80 corridor.

"It's mostly hills and valleys," Kranz said. "You can't put houses next to each other there. It's physically impossible."

Kranz, a retired state parks supervisor, said his top campaign issue is protection of the taxpayers.

As a supervisor, he's been involved in county budget cuts and hiring freezes. He opposes Measure R, which proposes to raise the salaries of the supervisors from $30,000 to $48,000 annually.

Acknowledging that board members could use the raise, Kranz said that asking for an increase as the economy struggles is the wrong time.

His other top issues include keeping law enforcement and fire protection as priorities and finding alternative fuels that won't pollute air or water quality.

Montgomery, owner of a housecleaning service, said balancing the county budget each year will be her top priority, particularly with the economic downturn.

"Next year will be even more difficult because our economic future isn't looking very rosy," she said.

She's also campaigning on land use, "how we continue to grow but still keep our character."

"I believe there are still places where it is appropriate to develop, such as the western portion of the county," she said.

Both candidates are concerned about reducing the risk of wildfires by trying to educate the public to clear brush around rural homes or properties.

Call The Bee's Art Campos, (916) 773-2825.