Below are updated primary results, with fewer than 100,000 ballots left to count. Though counties have an additional 21 days to report their final results, many have already processed all of their ballots, and few, if any, of the results are expected to change. Candidates noted with a * are endorsed or supported by CDT, and candidates noted with a ** are endorsed by our partner regional tables. We will continue to provide weekly updates until through the final results. Please contact staff if you have any further questions.
COVID-19 IN CALIFORNIA
Per the Sacramento Bee, Governor Newsom’s Department of Finance sent letters to the Legislature and government agencies “advising them that the normal schedule for state budgeting is on hold and that the goals the governor described in January are up for renegotiation.” They also announced that they are pulling $1.3 billion from the state’s reserves to buy supplies and prepare for coronavirus patients. Some pundits are saying that this is the time for the governor and legislators to be more ambitious with the budget, safeguarding our communities with more stable and comprehensive infrastructure.
The state legislature is due to reconvene in mid-April, but Governor Newsom, Senate President Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon are in talks about the legislative calendar as the statewide stay-at-home order will likely remain in place until the summer.
The SacBee looks at how the federal stimulus bill would affect Californians. The SacBee also explores comparisons between the federal stimulus checks to CDT ally Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs’ universal basic income pilot. Bottom line: people need recurring payments to ease their financial burdens, not one-time relief.
The California Budget and Policy Center looks at who the federal stimulus bill leaves out — most notably undocumented immigrants — the impact it will have on our state, and what state policymakers can do to address it. “Despite the many ways undocumented workers, individuals, and families are a vital part of California’s workforce and communities, they will not see a cent from the recovery rebates or qualify for expanded unemployment insurance benefits — the two major components of the federal response aimed at helping families and individuals hit hardest by the economic crisis.” CDT partner Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and CDT-endorsed Senator Maria Elena Durazo are advocating for expanding undocumented immigrants’ access to needed programs and services. California’s 400,000 agricultural workers (60%-75% of which are undocumented) are considered essential during COVID-19, but need more protections to ensure they stay healthy and have access to benefits if they cannot work.
California prison inmates are asking federal judges to consider an emergency order to release thousands of inmates as coronavirus spreads. Governor Newsom is resisting community advocacy to release some prisoners, especially the elderly and medically vulnerable, saying that current efforts to clean and socially distance in prisons is enough. However, the state is releasing 3,500 prisoners who were due to be released in the next 60 days already on an accelerated timeline. Immigrants detained by ICE are also suing for release because of health conditions that make them more vulnerable for COVID-19 and conditions in the detention centers that violate social distancing and personal hygiene requirements.
On Friday, the LA City Council approved a package of measures that will protect workers, consumers and tenants. The LA Chamber of Commerce opposed the measures. Housing advocates are pushing Governor Newsom to do more to protect tenants, who only have limited protection under his executive order (which stops well short of a total moratorium on evictions).
Demand for CalFresh, the state’s food stamp program serving over 4 million people, has risen significantly in the last month. Governor Newsom issued an executive order in March to “ease rules for those applying for a host of social service programs, including CalFresh, Medi-Cal health coverage, welfare assistance through CalWorks and in-home support services,” and the state has also asked the federal government to allow people to buy food online.
CALIFORNIA VOTERS
Over 90% of California voters may get their ballots by mail in the fall (75% did for the primary), setting an example for the rest of the country heading into the general election.
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION
Joseph R. Biden – 27.9% (+3.0% from March 4)
Michael R. Bloomberg (no longer running) – 12.2% (-2.1%)
Bernie Sanders – 35.8% (+2.2%)
Elizabeth Warren (no longer running) – 13.2% (+1.2%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Fifteen other candidates have between 0.0%-4.3% of the vote.
CONGRESSIONAL RACES
CENTRAL VALLEY
All four Central Valley congressional races below are top priority races for CDT partner Communities for a New California.
Congressional District 10
Michael J. “Mike” Barkley (D) – 3.3% (+0.2% since March 4)
Ryan Blevins (D) – 2.1% (+0.1%)
Josh Harder (D – Incumbent) – 43.6% (+3.8%)
Bob Elliott (R) – 13.3% (-0.9%)
Ted Howze (R) – 34.4% (-3.1%)
Marla Sousa Livengood (R) – 3.3% (-0.1%)
Congressional District 16
Jim Costa (D – Incumbent) – 37.5% (no change since March 4)
Esmeralda Soria (D) – 21.4% (+3.0%)
Kimberly Elizabeth Williams (D) – 5.9% (+0.3%)
Kevin Cookingham (R) – 35.2% (-3.3%)
Congressional District 21
TJ Cox (D – Incumbent) – 38.7% (+2.6% since March 4)
Ricardo De La Fuente (D) – 8.9% (+0.6%)
Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente (R) – 2.4% (-0.1%)
David G. Valadao (R) – 50.0% (-3.1%)
David Valadao is seeking to reclaim this seat that he lost to Cox in 2018.
Congressional District 22
Phil Arballo (D) – 25.0% (+1.5% since March 4)
Bobby Bliatout (D) – 13.1% (+1.6%)
Dary Rezvani (D) – 3.1% (+0.2%)
Devin G. Nunes (R-Incumbent) – 56.1% (-3.3%)
Eric Garcia (NPP) – 2.7% (+0.1%)
LOS ANGELES
Congressional District 25 (Los Angeles) – Regular election
Christy Smith (D) – 31.7% (+0.9% since March 4)
Cenk Uygur (D) – 5.9% (+0.7%)
Mike Garcia (R) – 23.9% (-1.6%)
Steve Knight (R) – 18.9% (-1.2%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Nine other candidates have between 0.4%-4.0% of the vote. CDT and Voices for Progress endorsed Christy in 2018 in her successful run for state assembly in AD38. Steve Knight is seeking to reclaim this seat that he lost in 2018 to Katie Hill, though it looks like Smith will face Republican Mike Garcia, a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and businessman.
Congressional District 25 (Los Angeles) – Special election
Christy Smith (D) – 36.1%
Cenk Uygur (D) – 6.5%
Mike Garcia (R) – 25.4%
Steve Knight (R) – 17.2%
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Nine other candidates have between 0.7%-4.5% of the vote. The special election run-off is on May 12 to serve the rest of the current term, through the end of the year.
ORANGE COUNTY
All three Orange County congressional races below are top priority Democratic protects for CDT partner Orange County Civic Engagement Table Action (OCCETA).
Congressional District 39 (Orange County)
Gil Cisneros (D-Incumbent) – 46.9% (+2.6% since March 4)
Young Kim (R) – 48.3% (-2.5%)
Steve Cox (NPP) – 4.8% (-0.1%)
Young Kim is seeking to reclaim this seat that she lost to Cisneros in 2018.
Congressional District 45
Katie Porter (D-Incumbent) – 50.8% (+2.7% since March 4)
Peggy Huang (R) – 11.1% (-0.2%)
Greg Raths (R) – 17.9% (-1.0%)
Don Sedgwick (R) – 12.8% (-1.1%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Three other candidates have between 1.0%-4.0% of the vote.
The California Sunday Magazine has a great profile Porter. “In just over a year, the former law professor has established herself as a YouTube celebrity, a prolific fundraiser, and a progressive who also works with Republicans to pass serious legislation. In a political era defined by Donald Trump, the Democratic Party has been going through a full-blown identity crisis. What should the party look like? What should it sound like? Porter, who represents a district that, before her election, had never sent a Democrat to Congress, offers an intriguing model for how the party might move forward.”
Congressional District 48
Harley Rouda (D-Incumbent) – 46.7% (+3.0% since March 4)
Brian Burley (R) – 12.1% (-0.7%)
Michelle Steel (R) – 34.9% (-1.8%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Three other candidates have between 1.3%-2.7% of the vote.
SAN DIEGO
Congressional District 49 (which also includes a small portion of Orange County)
Mike Levin (D-Incumbent) – 56.6% (+3.8% since March 4)
Brian Maryott (R) – 43.4% (-3.8%)
Congressional District 50
Maria Calderon (D) – 5.7% (+0.6% since March 4)
Ammar Campa-Najjar* (D) – 36.5% (+2.1%)
Carl DeMaio (R) – 19.9% (-1.1%)
Darrell Issa (R) – 23.2% (-1.7%)
Brian W. Jones (R) – 10.6% (-0.2%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Five other candidates have between 0.2%-2.1% of the vote. CDT supported Ammar when he narrowly lost this seat to then-Republican incumbent Duncan Hunter in 2018. We are supporting him again in 2020, and his candidacy is a priority for CDT partners Engage San Diego Action Fund and Alliance San Diego Mobilization Fund.
A new poll shows this race being really tight, with Issa having a lead (48% to 45%) that is within the margin of error (4.9%) for the poll.
Congressional District 53
Janessa Goldbeck (D) – 8.5% (+1.1% since March 4)
Georgette Gómez (D) – 20.0% (+1.4%)
Sarah Jacobs (D) – 29.1% (-0.5%)
Michael Patrick Oristian (R) – 7.4% (-1.7%)
Famela Ramos (R) – 7.5% (-0.6%)
Chris Stoddard (R) – 13.0% (-1.0%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Nine other candidates have between 0.4%-3.6% of the vote. This district is currently represented by Democrat Susan Davis, who is retiring from this seat.
STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES
Senate District 5 (Central Valley)
Susan Talamantes Eggman* (D) – 34.8% (+3.4% since March 4)
Mani Grewal (D) – 19.1% (+1.2%)
Jesús Andrade (R) – 16.2% (-0.5%)
Kathleen A. Garcia (R) – 5.5% (-0.6%)
Jim Ridenour (R) – 24.4% (-3.5%)
Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman is running to replace moderate Democrat Cathleen Galgiani and will face a Republican and former Modesto mayor Jim Ridenour in the general.
Senate District 7 (Contra Costa)
Steve Glazer (D – Incumbent) – 48.3% (+0.1% since March 4))
Marisol Rubio** (D) – 24.4% (+3.3%)
Julie Mobley (R) – 27.2% (-2.5%)
CDT partner Lift Up Contra Costa Action endorsed Marisol Rubio as the progressive challenger to Senator Steve Glazer, the most moderate of Senate Democrats and who is closely aligned with several industries.
Senate District 13 (Silicon Valley)
Josh Becker (D) – 23.8% (+3.4% since March 4)
Michael Brownrigg (D) – 11.7% (-0.1%)
Sally J. Lieber (D) – 17.1% (+1.1%)
Shelly Masur (D) – 16.1% (+0.8%)
Annie Oliva (D) – 11.8% (-1.1%)
Alexander Glew (R) – 17.4% (-3.8%)
John H. Webster (LIB) – 2.1% (-0.3%)
This is a closely watched race to replace Democrat Jerry Hill, who is terming out and endorsed Josh Becker — who has ties to wealthy tech donors — for this seat. Sally Lieber served as a state assemblymember in an overlapping district and is being opposed by several industry interests for her progressive record.
Senate District 15 (Silicon Valley)
Nora Campos (D) – 16.9% (+0.2% since March 4)
Dave Cortese* (D) – 33.9% (+0.9%)
Ann Ravel (D) – 22.1% (+2.3%)
Ken Del Valle (R) – 6.1% (-1.1%)
Robert Howell (R) – 10.2% (-1.9%)
Tim Gildersleeve (NPP) – 0.7% (no change)
Johnny Khamis (NPP) – 10.1% (-0.4%)
This is another closely watched race to replace Democrat Jim Beall, who is terming out. CDT and Voices for Progress endorsed Dave Cortese for this seat. Ann Ravel is an attorney who has served as Santa Clara County Counsel, Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice, Chair the Fair Political Practices Commission and was appointed by President Obama to the Federal Election Commission.
Senate District 23 (Inland Empire)
Kris Goodfellow (D) – 17.4% (+0.4% since March 4)
Abigail Medina* (D) – 28.0% (+1.7%)
Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R) – 24.9% (-0.2%)
Cristina Puraci (R) – 8.0% (-0.4%)
Lloyd White (R) – 21.7% (-1.5%)
CDT and Voices for Progress have endorsed Abigail Medina as she seeks to flip this seat from Republican to Democrat. We endorsed her in 2016 when she narrowly lost an assembly race (challenging a Republican incumbent) that makes up half of this senate district. CDT partner Inland Empire United (IE United) is leading an independent expenditure in support of Abigail. Republican Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh is a Latina realtor.
Senate District 28 (Inland Empire)
Anna Nevenic (D) – 2.9% (no change since March 4)
Elizabeth Romero (D) – 23.5% (+1.8%)
Joy Silver (D) – 20.9% (+0.3%)
Melissa Melendez (R) – 40.5% (-1.0%)
John Schwab (R) – 12.1% (-1.3%)
This is a special election for Republican Jeff Stone’s seat after he was appointed to the federal Department of Labor. The run-off is May 12, 2020. One of IE United’s partners will support Elizabeth Romero’s candidacy for the run-off.
Senate District 29 (Orange County)
Joseph Cho (D) – 19.1% (+1.1% since March 4)
Josh Newman (D) – 33.5% (+0.8%)
Ling Ling Chang (R – Incumbent) – 47.4% (-1.9%)
Democrat Josh Newman is looking to reclaim this seat from Republican incumbent Ling Ling Chang.
Assembly District 9 (Sacramento)
Jim Cooper (D – Incumbent) – 43.9% (+2.1% since March 4)
Tracie Stafford (D) – 24.2% (+4.2%)
Mushtaq A. Tahirkheli (D) – 2.6% (-0.2%)
Eric M. Rigard (R) – 29.3% (-6.1%)
Tracie Stafford is challenging incumbent Jim Cooper, a former police chief and one of the most powerful moderate Democrats in the Assembly. He was recently one of the co-leaders of the informal moderate caucus. CDT partner Smart Justice California endorsed Tracie in this race.
Assembly District 25 (Fresno-Santa Clara)
Jim Canova (D) – 3.8%
Natasha Gupta (D) – 10.4%
Anne Kepner (D) – 13.6%
Alex Lee (D) – 15.4%
Carmen Montano (D) – 10.2%
Anthony Pham (D) – 7.2%
Roman Reed (D) – 5.9%
Anna E. Song (D) – 12.7%
Bob Brunton (R) – 20.8%
This race is to replace Democratic Assemblymember Kansen Chu, who is running for the Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. A broad field of Democrats ran for this open seat, with Alex Lee declaring victory as he plans to face Republican Bob Brunton in this safe Democratic seat. Alex Lee has worked as a Legislative Policy Advisor in the California State Senate (for Senator Henry Stern) and Assembly (for Assemblymember Evan Low).
Assembly District 36 (Los Angeles)
Johnathon Ervin* (D) – 7.8% (+0.6% since March 4)
Steve Fox (D) – 17.3% (+1.5%)
Diedra M. Greenaway (D) – 6.0% (+0.4%)
Tom Lackey (R – Incumbent) – 53.0% (-3.6%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Four other candidates have between 2.7%-4.9% of the vote. CDT and Voices for Progress endorsed Johnathon Ervin to flip this seat. Steve Fox is a former Democratic assemblymember with a history of sexual misconduct. The Association of Realtors contributed to an independent expenditure for Fox, likely to ensure an easier race for Republican incumbent Tom Lackey.
Assembly District 38 (Los Angeles)
Dina Cervantes (D) – 8.8%
Annie E. Cho (D) – 12.5%
Susan M. Christopher (D) – 5.8%
Kelvin Driscoll (D) – 12.0%
Brandii Grace (D) – 11.6%
Suzette Martinez Valladares (R) – 31.8%
Lucie Lapoint Volotzky (R) – 17.7%
This race is to replace CDT-endorsed Assemblymember Christy Smith, who flipped this seat with our support in 2018 and is leading her primary races to take Katie Hill’s former CD25 seat. The wide field of Democrats split the vote and guaranteed this will be flipped back to a Republican seat in the general election.
Assembly District 42 (Inland Empire/Central Valley)
DeniAntionette Mazingo* (D) – 31.4% (+1.9% since March 4)
Andrew F. Kotyuk (R) – 33.6% (-1.1%)
Chad Mayes (NPP – Incumbent) – 35.1% (-0.7%)
CDT and Voices for Progress endorsed Deni Mazingo to flip this seat to Democratic. Mayes would be the first NPP elected to state office.
LOCAL RACES
Sacramento City Council District 4 – Nonpartisan
Katie Valenzuela – 53% (no change since March 4)
Steve Hansen (Incumbent) – 47% (+1%)
Katie Valenzuela is the Policy and Political Director of CDT partner California Environmental Justice Alliance.
Fresno Mayor – Nonpartisan (Central Valley)
Jerry Dyer – 51.57% (-2.91% since March 4)
Andrew Janz – 39.93 (+7.46%)
This list only includes candidates who have won at least 5% of the vote. Five other candidates have between 0.51%-2.26% of the vote. Andrew Janz conceded to former police chief Jerry Dyer on March 11.
Los Angeles District Attorney – Nonpartisan
Jackie Lacey (Incumbent) – 48.65% (-2.04% since March 4)
George Gascón* – 28.22% (+1.39%)
Rachel Rossi – 23.13% (+0.66%)
CDT endorsed George Gascón in his challenge of conservative incumbent Jackie Lacey. We achieved our goal of getting Gascón into a general election run-off with Lacey, made possible with the independent expenditure led by CDT partner LA Voice Action and supported by several CDT donors.
Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, District 2 – Nonpartisan
Herb J. Wesson Jr. – 29.93% 30.07% (-2.16% since March 4)
Holly J. Mitchell* – 29.04% (+3.52%)
Jan C. Perry – 11.92% (-0.34%)
Albert Robles – 10.67% (-0.69%)
Jorge Nuño – 6.56% (-0.08%)
Jake Jeong – 6.45 (-0.09%)
René Lorenzo Rigard – 5.43% (-0.15%)
CDT endorsed Senator Holly Mitchell for this seat, and several CDT donors supported an independent expenditure led by LA Voice Action. She will face LA City Council President Herb Wesson in the general election.
San Diego Mayor – Nonpartisan
Todd Gloria** – 41.49% (+1.16% since March 4)
Barbara Bry – 22.91% (-0.71%)
Scott Sherman – 22.57% (-2.60%)
Tasha Williamson – 7.19% (+1.46%)
Gita Appelbaum Singh – 3.57% (+0.59%)
Rich Riel – 2.27% (-0.01%)
CDT partner Engage San Diego Action Fund endorsed Todd Gloria in this race to replace a termed out Republican with a progressive Democrat. This will be a tough general election between Gloria and Progressive Democrat Barbara Bry. San Diego will have its first Democratic mayor since Bob Filner resigned in 2013.