LA Mayor Eric Garcetti with newly elected Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia and LA councilman Joe Buscaino on election night. Branimir Kvartuc/LA15th.com.
In the latest battle for the soul of the California Republican Party, the latest Silicon Valley candidate &mdash Neel Kashkari — has prevailed over Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, the gun nut from the Inland Empire. Donnelly conceded before midnght. But it's not really a regime changing victory. The numbers are too small and the electorate too murky for that. The Tea Party types could be back. Still, it means Democrat Jerry Brown will likely have to campaign in the fall and spend some of his political bank account.
Of the other noteworthy races after a day of very low voter participation and a night of slow vote counting:
State Sen. Alex Padilla, the former Los Angeles City council president, was basically tied with Republican Pete Peterson as the tewo headed to the general election for Secretary of State. Indicted San Francisco lawmaker Leland Yee may end up with more votes than independent candidate Dan Schnur, who left a cozy gig at USC to show that a smart down-the-middle candidate could compete. Oops. Check later results
The race for state controller is so close that former speaker John Perez might not make it. Check later results
Tom Torlakson and Marshall Tuck will probably face off in November for superintendent of public instruction.
Secretary of State statewide results | LA County results
Jim McDonnell is way ahead in the race for Los Angeles County sheriff. Paul Tanaka might make it into the general. Check later results
Sheila Kuehl and Bobby Shriver are headed to the general election in the race to succeed Zev Yaroslavsky on the Board of Supervisors. John Dursn trailed well behind. Hilda Solis was elected in the race to succeed Gloria Molina. Check later results
Looks like Republicans have gotten Elan Carr into the general for the 33rd congressional district, currently served by Henry Waxman. Ted Lieu leads Wendy Greuel for the second spot. Marianne Williamson and Matt Miller were never factors. Check later results
Ben Allen and Sandra Fluke are ahead in the count in the 26th Senate district. Check later results
Bob Hertzberg is going back to Sacramento, this time as a member of the state Senate.
George McKenna will finish on top in the race for the open seat on the school board from South LA.
Robert Garcia will become Long Beach's first Latino and openly gay mayor. He got about 52 percent of the vote.
At the time I posted this, 87 percent of LA County precincts had been counted. Looks like voter turnout of about 13.9 percent in the preliminary count. Can only go up!
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