California Primary Recap (So Far)….Everything You Need To Know – Opinion

California elections can be confusing both for Californians, and Americans in general. A strange formula in the Golden State almost guarantees Democratic control. It was introduced by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and has been supported ever since. Under the “jungle primary” system, California effectively has two “general” elections. In the primaries all voters receive the same ballot – there are no Republican or Democrat ballots except for presidential primaries – and select their candidate of choice in each race. The top two vote-getters for each race, even if they’re both of the same party, then move on to general elections in November.

Some offices such as the non-partisan County Supervisor or Sheriff can be skipped entirely by candidates who secure over 50% of the vote.

RedState contributor Bob Hoge believes that more Americans should understand the role of their primary system in many of our voting problems.

It shocks me how many “knowledgeable” people don’t realize California has a top two system. This means that in general we have two Dems competing against one another, while the Republicans remain off the ballot in most elections.

California elections are convoluted and hard to understand if you live outside the state, so here is a summary of what Tuesday’s results may or may not signal. California is an enormous state. We tried to narrow down the race races that might signal a shift and focus our attention on those races through November. These will give readers a better understanding of what election means in the most blue state in the country.

California Secretary of State’s website has the most current results.

Also worth noting…as of the time of publication, California is still only reporting about half of the statewide vote. Results from close races may change many times before certification. It’s a special kind of torture reserved for the exhausted voters of the state.

Rappel the revolt

San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin was recalled in an effort to restore order and control. An overwhelming 60% of voters decided to kick the “Defund the Police” prosecutor to the curb. Californians’ reflexive voting is often questioned by many. The recall of one the most extreme politicians in America suggests that there is a line between unchecked criminality and complete destruction of law and order. It’s a start.

Walgreens is a place I wouldn’t recommend. If you don’t know what I mean, final clearance sale for looters. #ByeByeBoudin

— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) June 8, 2022

Los Angeles mayoral election results show a significant shift in voter enthusiasm.

Moderate Democrat Rick Caruso continues a commanding lead over the progressive “shoe-in” Karen Bass. Caruso’s primary campaign has focused on his platform to address the homeless crisis, and empower law enforcement to tackle skyrocketing criminality and decreasing public safety. In a race that is often simply a matter of one progressive handing the office to another, the success of Caruso’s moderate platform indicates that even the extremely liberal base in Los Angeles has had enough of the status quo. The two candidates will now move to November’s run-off, and Caruso enters the generals with considerable momentum. An overwhelming shift in voters priorities would result from a Caruso win, which was also echoed by Boudin’s recall. This race is worth watching and it will have national importance going into the November generals.

And more bad news for Los Angeles “defund the police” 

This isn’t a pressing issue in the current elections, but a poll indicates that George Gascon, Los Angeles District Attorney, could become next target. That would make it an official trend, along with the Boudin recall victory and Caruso’s win.

NEW: LA DA may be in trouble due to a new poll from Long Beach @GeorgeGascon.

SUPPORT: Recall at 45.2%
OPPOSE recall: 27.1%

Two most common words voters describe Gascon w/ “lenient” & “progressive”
Long Beach, which is a heavily Democratic city is also the 2nd-largest in L.A. County. @FoxNews

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) June 8, 2022

The DUI driver with no license who ran this mom and baby in a stroller over, ran from the scene and was only stopped by a hero in a pickup truck only received 5 months in a juvi camp per Gascon’s DA office. @DAGasconRecall pic.twitter.com/N4sq9YWB0m

— STREET PEOPLE OF LOS ANGELES (@streetpeopleLA) June 3, 2022

After a conviction for sexual assault, George Gascon placed this 25-year old biological MALE sexual predator in a FEMALE youth facility. James Tubbs was charged in a Kern County murder case. REPORT GEORGE GASCON #RECALLGASCON https://t.co/REJA9HkUBl

— STREET PEOPLE OF LOS ANGELES (@streetpeopleLA) May 10, 2022

And even more bad news…

Alex Villanueva, Los Angeles County Sheriff has long been a thorn on the side of corrupt and neglectful Democrat leaders in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Villanueva is known for challenging L.A. politicians and taking over spiraling public safety. He has refused to cooperate with any of the most corrupt politicians in America and forcibly cleaned up homeless camps in Venice Beach. Although Democrats hoped Villanueva would be knocked down, he will still advance to the November run-off thanks to strong primary results. California’s primary cycle has seen law and order win, with a clear majority of voters voting for it.

The Governor’s Race Isn’t Quite As Cut and Dry As It Might Look

Gavin Newsom received an unsurprising lion’s share of the primary vote with 56% of the vote so far. The race for governor, however, is a top two primary, so he’ll move on to November to face Republican challenger Brian Dahle, who is holding steady at 17%. Dahle’s numbers seem weak but it’s important to note that he was up against a number of Republican challengers. California’s midterm turnout was also very low. Just 18% of registered voters went to the polls. Dahle could be competitive if there is a healthy turnout of Republican voters in November and a careful, focused campaign.

RedState contributor Jennifer Oliver O’Connell is cautiously optimistic.

The way outsiders are cursing California over Newsom getting 56 percent of the vote…he’s the incumbent–what did you expect? And the fact that Dahle got 20 percent of the vote says a lot to me, especially with the low turnout… if he gets the right campaign direction, and CAGOP gets out of the way, he could have the juice to take down Newsom.

One bright spot is the Lt.Governor Race.

While the Democrat candidate was expected to rise to the top, Republican Angela Underwood Jacobs appears stronger after the votes have been tallied. While she holds 20% of the vote, her Republican rival has received 13%. Assuming those votes matriculate to Underwood Jacobs, Jennifer Oliver O’Connell sees a potential bright spot for the executive office.

It is not known or understood who Eleni Kulanakis actually is. But if enough people are willing to learn more about Underwood Jacobs’s history, this could help us get Republicans into the Executive Branch.

She may just be able, as a Black Republican to discredit the dominant narrative and grab attention from beleaguered voters.

Too liberal for Orange County, Republican Young Kim

Newly redistricted incumbent Young Kim (District 40, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties) posted a lackluster performance in the conservative strongholds of southern California, coming in behind challenger Asif Mahmood’s 40% share with just a 34% haul. Her Democrat challenger’s success signals that conservative voters are not very happy with Kim’s squishy positions on COVID mandates. Kim’s Republican challenger, Greg Raths ran a strong campaign on the back of her COVID issues. Kim might have to go further right in order to retain the seat. This race will be important to follow.

Los Angeles County Republican Mike Garcia appears to have survived redistricting

Mike Garcia, Los Angeles County District 27, was hit hard by redistricting which removed Simi Valley, a conservative stronghold from his borders. California Democrats hoped it would be enough to knock the Republican who reclaimed Katie Hill’s seat off his throne but Garcia put in a strong performance and looks to be dominating his Democrat opponent so far. Christy Smith will be facing Garcia in November. This race is one that Democrats hope to win with redistricting.

It was education on the ballot, and it seems to have been a close race

Tony Thurmond, the incumbent Democrat in office as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, was eligible for balloting. Ainye Long (the challenger) and George Lang (the winner) are tied at 12%. Lance Christensen (the Republican-endorsed and parent endorsed candidate) is worth watching. His motivations include COVID overreach and draconian mandates as well as controversial curriculums which promote sexual identity and critical racial theory amongst other divisive topics. Christensen trails Lang and Long by one percentage point with less than half of the votes counted so far. The political class would see a warning sign if the father-of-three and educator can make it to the November runoff. For now, Christensen and his supporters must wait patiently through California’s tedious ballot counting process.

RedState is told by Christensen there’s good news as well as bad news.

The good news is we held Thurmond to under 50% despite the teachers’ unions dropping in north of $2 million in independent expenditures for him. The downside is that I currently stand in the 2nd spot, around 11%. This means we have many thousand votes to go between us. The next seven days will see the count of the votes sent by mail before last night. We may not even know for several weeks who will be moving on to the general election in November if it is close. All votes must be verified by July 15. Now, let’s wait.

Republican Mark Meuser advances to fight for Kamala Harris’ former seat

Alex Padilla, the incumbent Democrat is going to be facing off against Mark Meuser in November. However Mark Meuser, a conservative lawyer will face Padilla. Meuser, a candidate who has strong messaging and support, is promising. He faces a steep climb as a Republican, but the primary turnout has been very low. The turnout could make a difference in his favor come November. This race is worth watching.

You know the ones!

It’s no surprise that Ted Lieu, Maxine Waters, and Adam Schiff are entrenched Democrats and win easily in their races. They will advance straight to the November election without any sign of real difficulties.

California’s most conservative county hangs on to law and order

Todd Spitzer, Orange County District attorney, was victorious on Tuesday. Spitzer’s campaign motto “Keep L.A. out of O.C.” has been resonating with middle-class voters concerned with spreading crime and chaos. Spitzer won’t have to go up against a second candidate. Here’s the bottom line: Orange County will, despite Democratic gains, continue to be the frontrunner on important issues such as law and order, and the homelessness crisis.

Orange County encourages conservative first-timers

Matt Gunderson was a first time candidate and ran in the 38th (Orange, San Diego County) district. He posted impressive results. He currently is neck-and–neck with his Democratic opponent. Both men are expected to advance to the generals. Gunderson’s candidacy is reflective of current “citizen’s revolt” against the status quo.

Ventura County is the same.

Republican Lori Mills is another “citizen candidate” who looks likely to advance to November in District 42. Mills is an ardent conservative. Republicans could win the district. Mills identifies low voter turnout as an issue that will be crucial for conservatism in November.

We will win! Republicans must stop tweeting and posting. They need to bring their family and friends to the polls. Low voter turnout. Also, they need to open their wallets. This is not an ME campaign. We can save California together!

Thank you to Republican Laurie Davies (District 74 Orange and San Diego Counties).

Early in the counting, Davies was in first place. Her Democrat rival is getting closer, but Davies currently holds more than half of the votes. This race is important for those concerned about Orange County’s declining conservatism. Davies is an outspoken conservative and is highly respected in her area.

We think this:

Jennifer Oliver O’Connell says she’s not keen to make predictions, but she sees possibilities.

I am not into final conclusions–I am into HowHow can we ensure that California is included in the Red Wave? This could actually happen if the voters let their guard down.

Bob Hoge believes this is possible only if the state GOP gets out of its own way.

A Party’s job is to increase voter turnout. But CAGOP doesn’t seem to be trying very hard, if any. It’s as if they’ve given up.

Another thing that amazes me is how many people are unhappy with the way things are deteriorating here, but they just keep voting the same way because they just “could never vote Republican.” Or, more likely, they don’t vote at all. Early voter turnout was at record lows; can’t imagine that changed much election day.

Hoge’s wife, Roxanne Hoge, ran as a citizen-candidate for L.A.’s powerful Board of Supervisors. She said that California’s conservatives are driven to complain and not to act.

“It’s amazing how uninformed so many people are. The purposeful exclusions of candidate voices by mainstream television, public radio and the written word do have an impact. Also, conservatives sure love to kvetch about stolen elections, but then don’t show up to counter that.”

RedState Managing Editor Jennifer Van Laar points to voter apathy being a major challenge, and says one major take away from Tuesday’s primaries needs to be that California voters don’t like to vote against things. You need to motivate them to vote for something.

It’s not enough for people to not like the incumbent. With traffic jams, high gas prices, and other issues, Californians need to have a reason for going to the polls. People in CA should realize that anger can motivate, but it is not the only way to make a difference in their reality.

RedState will be keeping an eye on the voter counts for the following month (MONTH!) Keep you posted as candidates embark on the second leg of the trip to the November generals.