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 Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and the County Film Office, in partnership with Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Chair Lindsey P. Horvath and Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, unveiled a new $4.1 million grant program to provide relief to small and micro businesses affected by both COVID-19 and the 2023 Hollywood double strikes.
Join the Saugus Instrumental Music Program at Saugus High School for a fun community event. Get ready, Santa Clarita, for an unforgettable morning of shopping, entertainment and support. The Saugus Instrumental Music Program Rummage Sale, where treasures abound and bargains await will be held Saturday, June 8, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates invite residents of the Santa Clarita Valley to the annual Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House event to be held Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In the Roaring ’20s in the big city, if there’s enough “razzle dazzle,” you just might get away with murder. That’s the premise of the hit musical “Chicago,” which has enjoyed success for nearly 50 years, and was based on true-crime stories of a century ago.
California Institute of the Arts will present the annual CalArts Expo on Saturday, May 2. The Expo is an institute-wide event featuring interdisciplinary creative work from the CalArts community, ranging from current students to internationally renowned faculty and alumni creators.
Blue Heat, the Saugus High School show choir team, ended its competition season on April 12 with a first-place finish in the mixed division Tier IV at John Burroughs Music Showcase 2024 held in Burbank. The team also won the awards for Best Musicianship and Best Showmanship.
Against a backdrop of cinematic magic at Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California Institute of the Arts honored the transformative power that philanthropy has had in nurturing the dreams of CalArts students.
Two classic one-act comedies written by the late James McLure are coming to The Main in Old Town Newhall for a two-weekend run starting Friday, May 10.
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and the County Film Office, in partnership with Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Chair Lindsey P. Horvath and Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, unveiled a new $4.1 million grant program to provide relief to small and micro businesses affected by both COVID-19 and the 2023 Hollywood double strikes.
Join the Saugus Instrumental Music Program at Saugus High School for a fun community event. Get ready, Santa Clarita, for an unforgettable morning of shopping, entertainment and support. The Saugus Instrumental Music Program Rummage Sale, where treasures abound and bargains await will be held Saturday, June 8, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates invite residents of the Santa Clarita Valley to the annual Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House event to be held Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Starting Monday, April 29, construction on the South Fork Trail will begin to replace a portion of the lodgepole fencing, the city of Santa Clarita announced.
College of the Canyons dual-sport athlete Sam Regez will continue his career at University of Portland with plans to run on both the cross country and track and field programs.
An entertainment industry initiative to support the voices of California State University, Northridge film and TV students was celebrated with a recent screening of stories they created.
Earlier this month, a team of biology students at The Master’s University won a distinguished award at one of the oldest intercollegiate research conferences in the country.
College of the Canyons student-athletes Gigi Garcia (softball) and Hannes Yngve (men's golf) have been named the COC Athletic Department's Women's and Men's Student-Athletes of the Week for the period running April 15-20.
The California Department of Transportation has scheduled Lane Closures on the northbound and southbound State Route 14 between Technology Drive in Palmdale and Avenue A in Lancaster, closing up to three lanes.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond testified today in the Senate Education Committee about the need for results-proven training for all teachers of reading and math.
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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.