DemDaily: Primary Results: Counting California
June 9, 2022
Seven states held primaries Tuesday, June 7, including California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota.
| See DemDaily: Primary Results: CA, IA, MS, MT, NJ, NM, SD |
CALIFORNIA
California uses a nonpartisan blanket primary system, also known as a "jungle primary," where all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, run against each other. The top two vote-getters advance to the general election.
While the top two contenders have been called in most races after Tuesday's primaries, some are still hanging in the balance as, under California's universal mail-in voting system, ballots postmarked on election day will be accepted for seven days after the election.
In the statewide elections, approximately 56% of the vote has been reported. In some Congressional, municipal and down-ballot contests, however, the reported vote ranges from 35% to 70%.
Initial results indicate that Democrats are on track to maintain their dominance over all statewide offices.
US SENATE: In the US Senate contest, voters cast their ballots in two elections for the same seat.
1) The first is for a special primary election to fill the remaining term of former Senator Kamala Harris, who vacated the seat to become Vice President. The winner of the special general election on November 8 will serve through the remainder of the 117th Congress, which ends January 3, 2023.
Former California Secretary of State Alex Padilla (D), who was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom (D) as interim US Senator on December 22, 2020, has been representing the Golden State in the seat.
2) The second, regularly scheduled Senate primary was to select the top two candidates to run in the November 8 general election for a new, full six-year term, beginning with the 118th United States Congress on January 3, 2023.
In the special primary, Padilla (54.2%) and Republican constitutional attorney Mark Meuser (21.7%) advance to the general election. They both advance as the top two from the regular Senate primary as well, with Padilla having secured 53.4% to Mueser's 14.4%.
GOVERNOR Gavin Newsom (56.2%) and Republican State Senator Brian Dahl (17%), as the clear top-two primary vote-getters, will face each other in November.
Democratic Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis (52%) will face GOP Lancaster Deputy Mayor Angela Underwood Jacob (20%).
Democratic Secretary of State Shirley Weber (58.7%) and Republican Robert Bernosky (19.5%)
Attorney General: Incumbent Rob Bonta (D) easily captured the first slot with 54.4%, with Republican former US Attorney Nathan Hockman (18.5%) and attorney Eric Early (16.9%) vying for second. Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert trailed at 7.5%.
In the one hope for the GOP, Republican Lanhee Chen has secured the top slot in the race for Comptroller with 37.1%. Democrats Malia Cohen (21.2%) and Yvonne Yiu (15.9%) are vying for second.
| As the nation's most populous state, California has 52 US House representatives, down one after redistricting. Democrats currently hold 42 seats to the GOP's 10. There is one vacancy, in California's current 22nd Congressional District. |
CONGRESS
CD3: Democrat Kermit Jones (39.4%) v. Republican Kevin Kiley (36.5%)
CD 13: In the open seat, Democrat Adam Gray (33.2%) will face Republican John Duarte (30.8%).
CD 22: Democrat Rudy Salas (47.1%) has so far bested incumbent Republican David Valadao (25.7%), with Republican Chris Mathys at 19.4%.
CD 27: Incumbent GOP Congressman Mike Gracia (49.6%) will face Democrat Christy Smith (35.4%).
CD 37: In the seat being vacated by Congresswoman Karen Bass to run for Mayor of Los Angeles, Democrats Sydney Kamlager (43.7%) and Jan Perry (18.4%) appear headed to the general election runoff.
CD 40: Incumbent Congresswoman Young Kim (R) trails Democratic challenger Asif Mahmood 34.4 % to 40.1%, with the two likely to be general election opponents.
CD 41: Incumbent Ken Calvert (R) (43.8%) is facing serious opposition in Democrat Will Collins (35.2%) in the general election.
CD 42: A merge of two districts, the open 42nd appears headed to a face-off between Democrat (44.7%) and Republican Joe Briscoe (28.7%). Democratic hopeful Cristina Garcia trails at 12.7%.
CD 45: Incumbent Republican Michelle Steel (49.2%) will attempt to fend off a serious challenge by Democrat Jay Chen (41.3%).
CD 47: The results were a boost for incumbent Katie Porter (51.2%) who will face Republican challenger Scott Baugh (30.9%) in the general.
CD 49: Incumbent Mike Levin also faired well with 54.6% to next closest challenger Brian Maryott at 17.4%.
In the Special General Election for California's 22nd Congressional District to fill the remaining 117th Congress term of former GOP Congressman Devin Nunes, Republican Connie Conway (59.5%) defeated Lourin Hubbard (40.5%). Conway, however, will only serve for a few months in Congress as the seat was essentially dismantled by redistricting.
| See: DemDaily: The 2022 Election Calendar |
Other Highlights
Los Angeles Mayor: At 60% reporting, billionaire Republican-turned-Democrat Rick Caruso received 42.1% of the vote to Democratic Congresswoman Karen Bass', 37%, sending the two to a general election runoff November 8. LA City Councilmember Kevin DeLeon received 7.5%.
San Jose Mayor: Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez (39.1%) and San Jose City Councilman Matt Mahan (32.1) are headed for a runoff.
San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin has lost his seat in a recall election, with 60% of voters casting ballots in favor of recall, to 40% against.
Los Angeles Sheriff: Controversial incumbent Alex Villanueva is expected to face off against challenger Robert Luna (24.5%)
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Sources: FiveThirtyEight, New York Times, KTLA, CNN, USA Today, NBCNews
