A seemingly Republican wave continued for San Diego County in several key statewide and congressional contests, but several Democrats gained slight ground, as election results continued to arrive this week.
With votes still being counted, Republican Steve Hilton continued to lead the gubernatorial primary in San Diego County, followed by Democrat Xavier Becerra and Democrat Tom Steyer. Republican Chad Bianco and Democrat Katie Porter rounded out the top five candidates in the 61-person field.
Hilton received 31.97% of the vote in San Diego County on Friday — a slight decrease from Election Night — compared to 25.71% for Becerra. Steyer was third at 19.05%, followed by Bianco at 9.06% and Porter at 4.03%. Becerra and Steyer increased their percentages in the last several days.
In the lieutenant governor’s race, Republican Gloria Romero led the field with 26.69% of the vote, followed by Democrat Fiona Ma at 19.37%, Democrat Josh Fryday at 15.95%, Democrat Michael Tubbs at 7.98% and Republican David Fennell at 5.79%.
Democratic Secretary of State Shirley Weber received 53.5% of the vote, ahead of Republican Donald Wagner at 43.14%. Green Party candidates Michael Feinstein and Gary L. Blenner received 1.69% and 1.67%, respectively.
In the controller’s race, Democrat Malia M. Cohen led with 52.69%, while Republican Herb W. Morgan received 44.42% and Meghann Adams garnered 2.89%.
The race for state treasurer was one of the closest statewide contests in county voting, with Democrat Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis passing Republican Jennifer Hawks — who held the lead on Election Night— 33.91% to 32.56%, a 7,500-vote difference. Democrat Anna Caballero was third at 14.48%.
Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat, led Republican challenger Michael E. Gates, 50.52% to 44.78%, while Green Party candidate Marjorie Mikels received 4.7%.
In the race for insurance commissioner, Republican Stacey Korsgaden held the top spot with 26.63%, followed by Democrat Jane Kim at 24.9% and Democrat Ben Allen at 18.28%.
Among 10 candidates seeking the office of state superintendent of public instruction, Sonja Shaw led with 29.86%, followed by San Diego Unified Trustee Richard Barrera at 24.75% and Wendy Castaneda Leal at 9.3%.
In the closely watched race for the 48th Congressional District, which is split between San Diego and Riverside counties, Republican Jim Desmond handily won the local primary in with 45.15% of the vote, followed by Democrat Marni von Wilpert, a San Diego city councilwoman, with 20.63%. Over the district at large, Desmond’s lead was 40.8% to von Wilpert’s 20.3%.
In a statement late Tuesday, Desmond, a two-term county supervisor, said that voters “sent a message to every tax-happy, out-of-touch politician who forgot who they work for.”
“People are tired of taxes that climb every year while their paychecks stand still,” he said. “They want to maintain a secure border. They’re tired of working harder than ever and still wondering how they’re going to afford to live in the place they call home.”
The contest to replace outgoing Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Bonsall, attracted 12 candidates. Democrat Ammar Campa-Najar received 11.53% of the vote in the county, while fellow Democrats Corinna Contreras and Brandon Riker received 6.72% and 4.09%, respectively.
“I’m honored to be the Democratic nominee. Thank you to all the people who powered this campaign and who believe in our fight to stop Trump and build an America where opportunity and dignity belong to everyone again,” Von Wilpert said. “Thank you to Ammar, Brandon, Abel and everyone who threw their hat in the ring for a hard-fought race, and your dedication to this community.
“Now we have to unite, because the stakes couldn’t be higher. With control of the House on the line, there has never been a more consequential race for Congress in our region. This November, voters will have a clear choice: between more of Trump’s chaos, corruption and cruelty — or a leader who will stand up and fight for our communities.”
In the 49th Congressional District race, incumbent Rep. Mike Levin, D-San Juan Capistrano, won with 55.55%. Republican Armen Kurdian was next with 27.24%, while Republican Star Parker had 17.21%.
Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego, still leads the race in the 50th Congressional District with 47.29%, followed by Republican Steve Cohen at 42.44%.
Rep. Sarah Jacobs, D-San Diego, held a commanding lead in the 51st Congressional District with 54.94%, while Republican Ricardo Cabrera received 40.14%.
In the 52nd Congressional District, Rep. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, led with 54.84%, followed by Republican challenger Jeff Belle at 36.26%.
In state Senate races, Sen. Steve Padilla, D-Chula Vista, held a sizable lead over Republican challenger Art Hodges in the 18th District, 62.05% to 37.95%, in the San Diego County portion of the district.
In the 32nd District, Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, led Democrat Tiffanie Tate, 54.5% to 45.5%, in county returns.
Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, led Republican challenger Laura Bassett, 55.33% to 44.67%, in the San Diego County portion of the 38th District.
Former San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott led the race for the 40th Senate District seat with 45.44% of the vote. Republican Kristie Bruce-Lane was second with 29.26%, followed by fellow Republican Ed Musgrove at 25.30%.
In Assembly races, Republican Laurie Davies holds a 29-vote lead over Sergio Farias in the San Diego County portion of the 74th District, 50.03% to 49.97%.
