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.
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We need a better description of a person than “businessman”. Recent events have me thinking “businessman” means “amoral bully with gangster tendencies”. If business people are OK with that because Tax Cuts, I’m not impressed.
The 92nd annual Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade attracted thousands to the streets of Old Town Newhall to cheer more than 100 parade entries representing politicians, scout troops, businesses, nonprofits, fraternal organizations and others.
The Santa Clarita City Council is scheduled to discuss the transfer of William S. Hart Park to Los Angeles County at the Council's regular meeting Tuesday, July 9, at 6 p.m.
The Canyon Theatre Guild will present Santa Clarita Regional Theatre's production of "Disney's The Little Mermaid" at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at College of the Canyons.
The 92nd annual Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade attracted thousands to the streets of Old Town Newhall to cheer more than 100 parade entries representing politicians, scout troops, businesses, nonprofits, fraternal organizations and others.
The Santa Clarita City Council is scheduled to discuss the transfer of William S. Hart Park to Los Angeles County at the Council's regular meeting Tuesday, July 9, at 6 p.m.
The history of the United States of America Flag was shared by Santa Clarita Elks Lodge 2379 officers at their annual Flag Day Ceremony, which was held June 14.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority annual Point-in Time count of residents experiencing homelessness revealed a 22.9% reduction in the level of homeless veterans.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the County’s Department of Economic Opportunity kicked off its award-winning Youth@Work program, announcing the availability of up to 10,000 paid employment opportunities for local county youth.
More than 17.7 million Californians now have a REAL ID, an increase of 137,929 from the previous month, according to California Department of Motor Vehicles data.
SCVEDC recently participated in two major investment conferences: SelectLA hosted by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, as well as the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today applauded the passage of AB 1955, Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth Act (SAFETY Act).
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, accompanied by dangerously hot temperatures and excessive heat warnings in portions of Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, Supervisor Kathryn Barger is reminding residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires. She issued the following statement today:
With an excessive heat warning in effect this week, the city of Santa Clarita strongly urges residents to prioritize heat safety and preparedness during the Fourth of July Parade and the holiday weekend.
California State Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) has announced his bill to make wildfire settlement payments tax-free cleared its first hurdle in the Assembly, passing out of the Committee on Revenue and Taxation.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recently presented deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department with the highly esteemed MADD Award. This award recognizes their unwavering commitment to road safety and dedication to preventing the devastating consequences of drunk driving.
The First Presbyterian Church of Newhall is hosting an eight-week grief and loss recovery group, scheduled to run 2-3:30 p.m. on eight consecutive Sundays, Sept. 15 through Nov. 3.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has introduced a new online case management system that provides faster response times. The modern digital system provides drivers, as well as their attorneys, with a more convenient way to interact with the Driver Safety office at the DMV.
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3 Comments
What is wrong with you people who don’t vote?
We need a better description of a person than “businessman”. Recent events have me thinking “businessman” means “amoral bully with gangster tendencies”. If business people are OK with that because Tax Cuts, I’m not impressed.
Feinstein again? Career Politician and richer than God.