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.
California State Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) has announced his bill to help expand access to low- and no-cost spay/neuter services, a much-needed first step in relieving California’s animal shelter overcrowding crisis, was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Prepare for a ghoulishly delightful time at the Newhall Family Theatre of the Performing Arts as the Raising the Curtain Foundation presents the Bob Baker Marionettes' "Hallowe’en Spooktacular", Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. at 24607 Walnut St., Newhall, CA 91321.
The William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board approved the appointment of Jon Carrino as the new Assistant Superintendent of Business Services.
On Sept. 26 Princess Cruises, headquartered in Valencia, celebrated a major construction milestone of its second Sphere-Class vessel, Star Princess, with the traditional maritime float out ceremony at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
All For Kids is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
California State Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) has announced his bill to help expand access to low- and no-cost spay/neuter services, a much-needed first step in relieving California’s animal shelter overcrowding crisis, was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Prepare for a ghoulishly delightful time at the Newhall Family Theatre of the Performing Arts as the Raising the Curtain Foundation presents the Bob Baker Marionettes' "Hallowe’en Spooktacular", Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. at 24607 Walnut St., Newhall, CA 91321.
Santa Clarita Artists Association presents "Dark, Odd, & Mysterious", a bizarre and twisted art show bringing strange and curious local art to Old Town Newhall with a reception Saturday, Oct. 5, 5-8 p.m. at 22508 6th St., Newhall, CA 91321.
Circle of Hope Cancer Support Center will host the Seas the Day Afternoon Tea Saturday, Oct. 19 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Bella Vida in the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
With one group of Mustangs cross-country athletes having already competed on Friday night, Sept. 20, at the Larry Young Classic in Columbia, Mo. (where the men and the women both won the team titles), a second group of The Master's University men's and women's cross-country teams raced against top competition at the UC Riverside Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 21, in Riverside, Calif.
The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office has been honored with the 2024 Distinguished Assessment Jurisdiction Award by the International Association of Assessment Officers, the preeminent global organization that is the standard bearer for assessment administration and property tax policy.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
A hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court for Christopher Hubbart, known as the "Pillowcase Rapist," scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the Hollywood Courthouse, will not be relocated to the Antelope Valley.
Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency will be holding a special board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 1. The special meeting will start at 5:45 p.m. at the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency Administration Building.
California State University, Northridge, is home to the International Guitar Research Archives, one of the largest guitar-related archives in the world.
The Valencia High School Marching Band & Color Guard is pleased to announce RAGNAROK, a Western Band Association SoCal Marching Band Clinic taking place on Oct. 5, at 2:30 p.m. in Santa Clarita.
1970 - Lagasse family helps save Mentryville buildings as Newhall and Malibu brush fires erupt & join into worst fire in SoCal history. Twelve fires over 10 days burn 525,000 acres, kill 13 people and destroy approx. 1,500 structures. [story]
The Master's University men's soccer team tied Hope International University 0-0 in a tightly contested game played at Biola University in La Mirada, Calif. Saturday afternoon.
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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.