2018 California Mid-Term Election Update
On Tuesday, Californians went out to vote and decided a number of races; they also left a number of races to be determined as ballots are counted. So, while numbers are changing, this is an update on where we currently stand on a few of the races.
Gavin Newsom will be our next Governor; that race was decided in the Primary as the Republican, John Cox, really had no chance.
In the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction Marshall Tuck is leading Assemblyman Tony Thurmond by about 70,000 votes but that margin is shrinking as late ballots are being counted. This race was one of the most expensive in California history with total expenditures exceeding $50,000 million.
The 2018 legislative races represented a near wipeout for the Republican party in California. They will see losses in both the State Assembly and the State Senate and were shut out of all state-wide races.
A Legislative Supermajority
Democrats will have a 2/3 supermajority in both houses of the legislature. In the State Senate, the Republicans are struggling in the race to replace former Republican State Senator Anthony Cannella in the 12th district where Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D) is running against Supervisor Rob Poythress (R). The candidates are separated by 1% in what would be a Democratic pickup.
In the 14th district, Senator Anthony Vidak is running behind Melissa Hurtado in the surprise race of the cycle. Senator Vidak losing was not on anyone’s radar screen and much of the Capitol community is in shock that he is trailing by 3,474 votes. Votes are still being counted, but the Democrats will have a supermajority in the State Senate next year.
The State Assembly
In the State Assembly, Democratic pickups are possible in the southern part of the state.
In the 16th district Assemblywoman Catharine Baker (R) is fending off a still challenge from Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D), but the race is too close to call with Baker ahead by almost 3,000 votes.
In the 32nd district Assemblyman Rudy Salas (D) is holding off challenger Justin Mendes (R) in what was a Republican targeted seat; Salas should hold the seat through the final tally. Though this was a low turnout race, we saw an incredible amount of money spent and, since this overlaps some with Senator Vidak’s seat, there is a belief that the funding negatively impacted Vidak’s race.
In the 38th Assemblyman Dante Acosta (R) is turning back a strong challenge from Christy Smith (D). In the one bright spot for Republicans, Assemblywoman Sabrina Cervantes (D) is currently trailing Bill Essayll (R) by a few hundred votes but the race is going back and forth as ballots are being counted.
In the 74th district, Assemblyman Matthew Harper (R) is ahead of challenger Cottie Petrie-Norris by about 800 votes. Democrats will pick up a seat in the 76th where Assemblyman Rocky Chavez waged an unsuccessful run for Congress. Tasha Boerner Horvath (D) will be the new member.
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