SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California's top-two primary system didn't exactly exclude Republicans from the general election, but it looks like they will be playing catch-up in several statewide races.
Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown captured nearly 55 percent of the total vote on Tuesday and will face Republican businessman Neel Kashkari (19 percent) in the general election.
Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, a tea party favorite, finished third with 14.8 percent of the total vote.
In all, 15 candidates ran for governor. Excluding Brown, even if with their combined vote totals, the hopefuls still fell short of the governor's 1,716,920 vote total by several hundred thousand votes.
In the race to become California's top attorney, Attorney General Kamala Harris netted 53 percent of the total vote, easily dominating her four GOP challengers. She will face Republican attorney Ron Gold (12.7 percent) in the general election.
Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom (49.9 percent) will square off against Republican Ron Nehring (23.2 percent).
The primary election for secretary of state was one of the more contested races, with Democrat Alex Padilla capturing 30.1 percent of the total vote. Padilla will face Republican Pete Peterson (29.6 percent) in November.
Republican Ashley Swearengin was the top vote go-getter in the primary election for state controller, landing 24.4 percent of the total vote. Democrat John Perez finished second with 21.7 percent of the total vote.
Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com.
Dem incumbents top GOP challengers in California primary
