California primary election: Latest results for governor, other statewide races

Incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom had little difficulty with the field of two dozen challengers to his re-election. He finished first in voting by a wide margin but under state election rules will face a runoff against the next highest vote-getter, state Sen. Brian Dahle.

Newsom, who did not campaign much and did not make a public appearance on Tuesday, said in a news release that Republicans "are attacking our fundamental rights as Americans" by "stripping a woman of the right to choose" and "standing idly by as gun violence claims too many lives."

"California is the antidote to their cynicism - leading with compassion, common-sense and science," he said.

Dahle was endorsed by the state Republican Party but had trouble matching Newsom's fundraising prowess or high-profile.

"Thank you California," Dahle tweeted after it became clear he was in the runoff. "We are now moving forward to fight for the future. Tonight changes everything. In the coming weeks, I will give Californians a clear vision of a prosperous California."

For a complete list of candidates and the latest results on election night updated as they come in, please check this page.

Incumbent Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis was facing several challengers including: Democrats William Saacke and Jeffrey Morgan; Republicans Angela Underwood Jacobs, David Fennell and Clint Saunders; NPP candidate David Hillberg, and PFP candidate Mohammad Arif.

Kounalakis was substantially ahead on election night and appeared headed for a runoff against Jacobs.

Incumbent Rob Bonta was projected to advance to the November general election.

Bonta was appointed to the state's top law-enforcement position in 2021 by Gov. Gavin Newsom, after Xavier Becerra joined the Biden cabinet.

Republicans think they have a chance this year to unseat him. But first they must hash out which challenger has the best chance.

Two Republicans campaigned in the June 7 primary.

The GOP hopes a tough-on-crime message will resonate with voters. The state Republican Party endorsed former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman. Also running as a Republican is Eric Early, who was lead legal counsel for the unsuccessful effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Hochman and Early were running close in Tuesday night's initial results and it may take some time to determine which will face Bonta.

Also on the ballot was Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who gave up her Republican affiliation four years ago and ran as an independent. Green Party candidate Daniel Kapelovitz was also on the ballot.

A list of Republicans were hoping to unseat California Secretary of State Shirley Weber.

But Tuesday's results had Weber way out to a big lead and heading to a November runoff against Republican Rob Bernosky.

Her other Republican challengers included: Rachel Hamm, Raul Rodriguez and James Paine.

Green Party candidate Gary Blenner, and Matthew Cinquanta with no party preference also were on the ballot.

Democrat and current California State Treasurer Fiona Ma had a big lead in her bid for re-election, with Republicans Andrew Do and Jack Guerrero vying for second place to face her in the runoff.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Incumbent Tony Thurmond is seeking re-election to a four-year term and has six challengers:

• Marco Amaral, a special education teacher

• Joseph Campbell, who specializes in Montessori education

• Lance Christensen, vice president of education policy and government relations at the California Policy Center

• Jim Gibson, cyber security professional and former trustee on the Vista School Board

• Ainye Long, a math teacher and department chair in San Francisco Unified

• George Yang, a software architect

Among the top tasks at hand for the department is helping students get back on track as national reports show a decline in student reading levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thurmond had a big lead Tuesday night but it was not immediately clear who he might face in the runoff.

There were two separate elections for the U.S. Senate seat representing California. Alex Padilla was appointed to fill the position starting last year after Kamala Harris become vice president. Padilla had to run in separate races on the ballot both to complete rest of the unexpired term, as well as for a full term starting next year.

Padilla took a big first place lead in in both Senate races and seemed to be heading for a runoff against Republican Mark Meuser in both races.