Rep. Steve Knight

Despite being labeled one of the most “vulnerable” Republican congressmen in the country, Steve Knight of Palmdale outpolled all four of his Democratic challengers, combined, by a commanding 53-47 margin in Tuesday’s gubernatorial primary election – virtually identical to his margin of victory in the November 2016 general election.

If Tuesday night’s results hold after provisional and late-absentee ballots are tabulated in the coming days, newcomer Katie Hill (20.2 percent) will face Knight in the November general election. Throughout the evening she traded the No. 2 spot with labor favorite Bryan Caforio (18.3 percent), Knight’s challenger from two years ago.

Sheriff Jim McDonnell looked ready to start another four-year term when early returns put him slightly above the 50 percent he’d need to escape a November runoff. But McDonnell’s numbers softened as the night wore on. If he’s still below the magic number when the final results are tallied, he’ll go to a November showdown with one of his own lieutenants, Alex Villanueva.

Sheriff Jim McDonnell

McDonnell was seen as a stabilizing force when elected to the sheriff’s office in 2014 following the scandal-ridden Baca years. He had to put all deputies in his short-staffed department on mandatory overtime, and he garnered some criticism locally when he came out in support of SB54, the new state law that bars cooperation between local agencies and federal immigration authorities in certain instances, after opposing early drafts of the legislation. Villanueva, who amassed a flurry of Democratic endorsements, also supports SB54.

Incumbent county Assessor Jeffrey Prang finished first in his reelection bid with 46 percent. His November challenger will be John “Lower Taxes” Loew, who reportedly changed his name legally when he previously ran for Assessor because a ballot statement was too expensive and a name change was only $30.

Santa Clarita and Antelope valley voters went through the motions in their respective Assembly districts where California’s “top two” primary system guaranteed that both people on the ballot in each district will advance to November.

In both cases it’s a rematch – Republican incumbent Dante Acosta and Democrat Christy Smith in the Santa Clarita Valley; Republican incumbent Tom Lackey and Democrat Steve Fox in the Antelope Valley. Both Acosta and Lackey bested their Democratic challengers by a bigger percentage Tuesday night than in the 2016 general election.

Veteran Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein outdistanced her 31 challengers by such a wide margin that it was difficult to determine whom she’ll face in November. Republican newcomer James Bradley and former Democratic Senate Leader Kevin de León, the author of SB54, went back and forth in polling throughout the evening. By early Wednesday it appeared De León had it with 11.3 percent to Bradley’s 8.5 percent.

Gavin Newsom on election night

For many pundits, the question of who will vie to succeed Jerry Brown in November has been: Sitting Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and which other Democrat? State Treasurer John Chiang or former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa? The answer is neither. Coming in at No. 2 was Republican John H. Cox with 26.2 percent to Newsom’s 33.4 percent.

Cox, a San Diego County businessman, was endorsed by President Donald Trump, who tweeted Wednesday: “Congratulations to John Cox on a really big number in California. He can win.”

According to Fox News, Cox “became wealthy as a lawyer, accountant, wealth manager and investor in the Chicago area. He now owns thousands of apartment units in the Midwest.”

Villaraigosa and Chiang made concession speeches. Chiang tweeted: “While we may not be celebrating the victory we had hoped for tonight, I’m proud of what we accomplished.”

On the state Board of Equalization, where Republican George Runner is termed out of office, Democrat Tom Hallinan (38.4 percent) and Republican Ted Gaines (32.8) will square off in November to see who takes his place as the 1st District representative. Hallinan wants to abolish the board he’s running for.

Outside of Santa Clarita, L.A. County 3rd District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl handily won reelection, averting a November runoff. First District Supervisor Hilda Solis was unopposed.

California voters approved new parks bonds, said they want their previously approved transportation funds to go for transportation, and thought the installation of rain-capturing systems shouldn’t trigger higher property taxes for homeowners.

The voter turnout in Los Angeles County was 18 percent, lower than most parts of California and lower than the overall statewide turnout of 21 percent.