Sen. Toni Atkins, arguably the second most powerful state official as president pro tempore of the state Senate, appeared headed for an easy reelection victory on Tuesday.
With 64.4% of ballots counted in San Diego County, she led Republican opponent Linda Blankenship by 67.5% to 32.5% and had declared victory.
“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that you, my neighbors in the 39th Senate District, have elected me to serve as your state senator for a second term,” Atkins said in a statement on Wednesday.
San Diego City Councilman Chris Ward appeared headed to the state Assembly in the 78th District with 55.5% to opponent Sarah Davis’s 42.5%.
Assembly Republican leader Marie Waldron was facing a tight race in the 75th District, leading Democratic challenger Karren Schwartz by 52.0% to 48.0%. But the Waldron’s margin grew over the evening.
“The early results of the election show us neck-and-neck with the most powerful Republican in the State Assembly. I am incredibly proud of the work our campaign has accomplished over the course of this election,” said Schwartz in a statement.
Other incumbents in the state Legislature a were doing well in the early returns. Here’s a district-by-district summary:
71st District — Incumbent Randy Voepel leads at 57.8% to Liz “Elizabeth” Lavertu’s 42.2%.
76th District — Incumbent Tasha Boerner Horvath leads with 57.5% to Melanie Burkholder’s 42.5%.
77th District — Republican turned Democrat Brian Maienschein is ahead at 57.8% to Republican June Cutter’s 42.2%.
79th District — Incumbent Shirley Weber leads challenger John Moore by 66.4% to 33.6%.
80th District — Incumbent Lorena Gonzalez has a commanding 71.6% to challenger John Vogel’s 28.4%.
Updated at 2:03 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020