What we know about California’s election results so far

Millions of Californians participated in the vote, which ended Tuesday capping off a wild primary season marked by unprecedented campaign spending, the cratering of a former member of Congress, and Democratic voters casting their ballots and waiting for a front-runner to emerge.

At various times, it appeared that two candidates from the same party might advance to the general election. But so far shows early returns that Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra are able to face each other in November — as far as their conclusions hold.

Liberal billionaire Tom Steyer is third but not yet out of the race.

• Steyer: “We’re going to wait until every ballot is counted. We’re going to give democracy time to work.”

Several Democrats backed out, including former front-runner Katie Porter.

• carrier: “Running a race like this is not easy and it’s hard to be short, but democracy is worth doing hard things. Stay in the fight, stay in touch and thank you for believing in me.”

As for other government services, preliminary results show:

Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta, Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Inspector Malia Cohen also advanced to November. They will face GOP challengers Michael Gates, Don Wagner and Herb Morgan, respectively.

What does it all mean? Check out these election results by our Ben Christopher.

And for more details, including who’s leading the race for the California Board of Equalization — the nation’s only elected tax board — see election results here.

California’s Proposition 50 made the state’s congressional districts less competitive between parties, but there will be plenty of drama in the coming months as politicians adjust to the new maps.

This initiative rigged congressional districts in favor of Democrats and left the state alone two races expected to be competitive between the countries, writes CalMatters’ Maya C. Miller.

One is in the Central Valley, where GOP incumbent David Valadao will run until November. But his two Democratic challengers — Rep. Jasmeet Baines and political progressive newcomer Randy Villegas — remain in the race for second place.

The other hot race is in San Diego, where San Diego County Executive Jim Desmond, a Republican, and San Diego City Councilwoman Marnie Von Wilpert, a Democrat, will advance to the general election.

Several other races have interesting storylines, including ones pitting Democrats against Democrats and Republicans against Republicans in November:

• 7 district: In a district that includes parts of Sacramento, longtime Democratic incumbent Rep. Doris Matsui could run her first serious challenge in her 20-year career in Congress by fellow Democrat Mai Wang, a member of the Sacramento City Council.
• District 11: In the race for succeeded House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosistate Sen. Scott Wiener could face San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, who Pelosi has endorsed.
• District 6: In March, Congressman Kevin Kiley left the Republican Party to switch districts and run as an independent candidate in the Sacramento suburbs. Kylie is leading the race, with GOP candidate Michael Stansfield and former state Sen. Richard Pan, a Democrat, trailing behind him.
• District 40: California’s longest-serving Republican in Congress, Rep. Ken Calvert, is set to face off against fellow GOP candidate Young Kim to represent the Inland Empire district that was redrawn after Proposition 50.
• District 1: In rural northern California, former GOP leader James Gallagher and former Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire will be on the ballot in November.

Read more.

From CalMatters political reporter Kate Wolff:

The entire state assembly and half of the state senate are also up for election.

A few hours after the polls closed, dozens of contests were announced, with the top two qualifying for the general election. Not surprisingly, early results suggest the Democrats are likely to retain their majority. Other areas are likely to be close for a while.

In the purple Sierra Foothills region of California’s 4th Senate District, incumbent Marie Alvarado-Gil, a Democrat-turned-Republican, trailed Republican farmer Alexandra Duarte and Tuolumne County Supervisor Jaron Brandon, a Democrat.

Assembly Republican Leader Heath Flora has lost the support of key GOP groups in his district, including the Stanislaus County Republican Party and longtime U.S. Rep. Tom McClintock. But Flora maintained a narrow lead in the election results over Democrat Matthew Adams, a teacher. Republican challenger Jim Shoemaker, a truck driver, closely followed the two in responses.

And in the leadership race in San Diego, Republican Christy Bruce-Lane had the edge over fellow GOP Ed Musgrove to run against Democrat Mara Elliott. The race for the 40th Senate District represented a a rift between two factions of the Republican Party, with establishment Republicans endorsing Musgrove and Republican Carl DeMaio endorsing Bruce-Lane.

Read more by Yue Stella Yu at CalMatters.

Following CalMatters License to kill investigative series, eight of the 17 bills proposed by state lawmakers this year that would strengthen DUI laws and reduce reckless driving are moving through the Legislature. Some of the surviving bills have gone further than similar measures previously introduced. Read more by Andrew Donohue of CalMattes.