Newsom won the popular vote but this is not a night to declare victory.
Cox is sitting in the all-important second spot with percent of the vote, ahead of Antonio Villaraigosa and Travis Allen.
Cox has been cautiously optimistic throughout the night. An endorsement from President Trump gave him a big boost.
Villaraigosa asked that LA County polls stay open longer because a printing error left over 118,000 voters off polling rosters.
Reaction from top contenders for California governor race
"Well, I think it should be infuriating to the voters and the rest of you. I mean look we've all been here a long time. You expect that in the United States of America and that in Los Angeles County, the largest county in the state, that they would be able to conduct an election without the problems of this magnitude," said Villaraigosa.
"This is only the first half, very promising but we're winning big," said Newsom.
"Gavin Newsom, as I told him during the debate, be careful what you wish for," said Cox.
Cox immediately going on the attack against Newsom.
It will be interesting to see what kind of impact that voter registration problem in LA County may impact the election result.