A few big races in last night’s primary are still too close to call, making it an even bigger wonder why so many voters opted not to cast a ballot.
Mark Z. Barabak reports for the Los Angeles Times: “Voters come in many shades and flavors. Some are civic-minded and see their ballot as sacred, freighted with both privilege and responsibility. They make it a point to vote in every election -- rain, shine, blowout or nail-biter.”
“But many more people take only a passing interest in politics and the summons every two years or so to the polls. For the more casual voter, turning out on election day, or dropping a ballot in the mail, requires some greater incentive beyond a sense of duty.”
Gov. Jerry Brown easily took a strong lead in his bid for an unprecedented fourth term as governor.
Juliet Williams reports for the Associated Press: “In early returns from Tuesday’s primary, Brown was leading a large field of gubernatorial candidates with 57 percent of the vote.”
“It’s the first election for statewide office held under California’s new primary system, in which the top two vote-getters advance regardless of party affiliation.”
Despite lagging in the polls for months prior to the primary, former U.S. Treasury official Neel Kashkari won the number two spot in the governor’s race.
David Siders reports for the Sacramento Bee: “Kashkari, a moderate Republican, was ahead of the tea party-backed Donnelly 18 percent to 15 percent when Donnelly conceded the race and called Kashkari to congratulate him. Neither Republican came close to touching Brown, who led all challengers with 55 percent of the vote. He will face Kashkari in the fall.”
“The ballot counting ended one of the lowest-profile gubernatorial primary elections in recent California history. Brown, a popular third-term governor, was so heavily favored he barely campaigned, and neither Republican is expected to unseat him in November.”
Although Brown is considered a shoe-in to win in November, Democrats could’ve positioned themselves to face off against Tim Donnelly instead of Kashkari. So, why didn’t they?
Carla Marinucci reports in the San Francisco Chronicle: “But Garry South, the Democratic strategist for (Gray) Davis — and the man who helped engineer Riordan’s 2002 demise as a gubernatorial candidate — said there’s “two good reasons why nothing happened.”
“One — Jerry Brown is cheap and would never use his campaign kitty to oppose or support someone else,” he said. “And two — he’s not in danger of losing an election” in November.”
In the race for secretary of state, indicted state Sen. Leland Yee, who remained on the ballot, managed to take third place among the eight candidates vying for the spot.
Patrick McGreevy reports in the Los Angeles Times: “No-party-preference candidate Dan Schnur, Democrat Derek Cressman and Democrat Jeffrey H. Drobman were trailing the top two. There are likely thousands of provisional ballots still to be counted in the coming days, but if the results stand, (Pete) Peterson and (Sen. Alex)Padilla will face off in November.”
“Yee’s name stayed on the ballot because he dropped out so late, and he received significant votes.”
If you’re wondering why so many voters would cast a ballot for an alleged gun trafficker,
Joe Garofoli muses in SF Gate: “Why would Californians vote for Yee? Perhaps this tweet sheds some light on that deep question:
@ChuckJohnson: How many of my fellow Californians joined me in voting for Leland Yee? If we're going to have a crook, let's have one that likes guns.”
“Next up: Let’s scour the write-in votes to see how Shrimp Boy placed.”
In the race for state controller, results are still too close to name the top-two victors.
Jeremy B. White reports for the Sacramento Bee: “With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Swearengin had built a lead of a few percentage points for the first slot but none of the three others could break away from the pack to clinch the second. The standings as of 5 a.m.:
Swearengin: 24.4 percent
Pérez: 21.7 percent
Evans: 21.6 percent
Yee: 21.5 percent”
“Those results will change in the coming days as election officials process tens of thousands of uncounted provisional and mail ballots.”
Several competitive legislative races were also featured on yesterday’s ballot.
Jeremy B. White also reports in the Bee: “A leadership shuffle in the California State Senate rippled through Sacramento-area legislative races on Tuesday, as the departure of Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, later this year set off a cascade of competitive contests in Democrat-heavy districts.”
A couple congressional races proved too close to call as well, as Democrats fight to maintain their number of California seats.
Jean Merl reports for the Los Angeles Times: “The biennial, high-stakes battle for control of the House also was manifesting itself in about half a dozen California districts that, due to registration and voting patterns, could switch parties in the fall. Democrats' hopes of recapturing the House majority this year are slim to nonexistent, most elections experts say.”
“But that won't keep Democrats, who dominate state politics, from fighting to pick up another seat and defending those that could flip. The outlines of the fall battles have been seen for months, especially for seats held by freshmen who wrested them from the other party's hands two years ago.”
Voters yesterday also approved the two ballot measures before them, Propositions 41 and 42.
Becky Bach reports in The Mercury News: “Proposition 41 secured widespread support from veterans' organizations, political parties, editorial boards and elected leaders.”
“Proposition 42 had broad support from journalism organizations, the League of Women Voters and elected leaders.”
Now, enough with the primary races – it’s time to talk horse races.
Reid Cherner reports for USA Today: “…few experts would have figured that the industry would go 35 years without another Triple Crown. Or that in 2014 we'd have our 13th horse since Affirmed going into the Belmont with a chance for a sweep.”
“When California Chrome walks into the starting gate Saturday he'll be carrying more than Victor Espinoza on his back.”
