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California’s primary elections have come and gone and, while 100% of precincts have reported, the numbers are far from final.
With many mail-in ballots still to be counted, many races are too close to call. Counties have up to 30 days to certify their results, which must be certified by the Secretary of State by April 10. Following are some races of interest. Results are current as of March 5.
Going from blue to red — maybe
Assembly District 38 (Santa Clarita) – Democrats’ inability to unite behind a single candidate has (for the moment) created the potential for a same-party Republican runoff for the Assembly seat Christy Smith (D) vacated in order to run for Congress. Republican Suzette Martinez Valladares leads with 32.6% of the vote, with Republican business owner Lucie Lapointe Volotzky in a strong second with 18.9%. Democrat Annie Cho trails with 11.5%.
Republicans find a foothold
- Asembly District 60 (Riverside) — Republican Chris Raahauge leads incumbent Democrat Sabrina Cervantes by 405 votes in early returns. This seat will be a target for both parties in November.
- Congressional District 21 (Fresno) – It looks like a rematch for Democrat incumbent TJ Cox and former Rep. David Valadao (R). Cox currently has 36.1% of the vote to Valadao’s 53%.
- Congressional District 39 (Fullerton) – Another rematch will be incumbent Gil Cisneros (D) and former Assemblymember Young Kim (R), who currently leads with 50.8%.
Clearing a crowded field
Senate District 5 (Stockton) – In the Central Valley, CHPAC-supported Assemblywoman Susan Eggman is leading in a crowded field, outpacing her well-funded Democratic opponent Mani Grewal. Currently, Eggman and Republican Jim Ridenour are the top two vote-getters.
No party? No problem
AD 42 (Yucca Valley) – CHPAC-supported candidate and former Republican Assemblyman Chad Mayes defends his seat as a “no party preference” candidate. He will run against Republican Andrew Kotyak.
Moderate Democrats keep labor candidates at bay
- AD 9 (Elk Grove) – Incumbent and CHPAC-supported candidate Jim Cooper has a comfortable lead with 41.8%, while Republican Eric Rigard is well ahead of Democrat Tracie Stafford, who has 20%.
- SD 7 (Orinda) – Incumbent and CHPAC-supported candidate, Democrat Steve Glazer, leads with 48.2% while Republican Julie Mobley received 30.7%, and the labor-backed Marisol Rubio finished a distant third with 21.%.
Shake-ups
- Assembly District 59 (Los Angeles) – Incumbent Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D) is trailing Democrat Efren Martinez by 1,428 votes.
- Assembly District 72 (Westminster) – Incumbent Republican Assemblymember Tyler Diep is currently trailing former State Sen. Janet Nguyen (R). Nguyen has 34.8% of the vote to Diep’s 25.9%. However, labor backed Diep, so the Democrat votes (about 38%) will be in play in the general election.
- Assembly District 73 (Dana Point) – Incumbent Republican Assemblymember Bill Brough is being outpaced by Republican Laurie Davies and Democrat Scott Rhinehart. Brough is in the number 3 spot, with Davies leading with 27.6% of the vote and Rhinehart in second with 22.2%.
Too close to call
Assembly District 57 (Whittier) – In the bid to fill Ian Calderon’s open seat, it’s CHPAC-supported Sylvia Rubio (sister to Sen. Susan Rubio and Assemblymember Blanca Rubio) vs. Lisa Calderon (stepmother to Assemblymember Ian Calderon). It will be a close one – Jessica Martinez (R) leads at 29.7%, Calderon is in second at 19.9%, and Rubio is currently in third with 17.6%.
Warning signs for Republicans
- Senate District 29 (Diamond Bar) – Incumbent Republican Ling Ling Chang is currently below 50%, with 49.2% of the vote. Former Democratic state Sen. Josh Newman received 32.9%, and Democrat Joseph Cho received 17.9%. Newman’s soft support could be a result of his successful recall two years ago, which may still be fresh in some voters’ memory.
- Senate District 37 (Costa Mesa) – Republican incumbent John Moorlach has 49.6% of the vote, with the two Democrats, Dave Min (25.9%) and Katrina Foley (24.5%), vying for the second spot.
A Congressional special election and general election … for the same seat
Congressional District 25 (Santa Clarita) – Assemblywoman Christy Smith (D) will be facing former Navy fighter pilot Mark Garcia (R) on May 12 and again in November since Katie Hill’s departure from Congress resulted in a special election during a regular election year.