DeMaio looks strong, other California caucuses struggle as early results come in – San Diego Union-Tribune

Talk show host and former San Diego City Council member Carl DeMaio took an early lead in the race to represent much of East County and part of inland North County in the state Assembly, signaling that a significant portion of the electorate is united wants more combative Republicans in the Democratic-dominated party in the State House.

His opponent, Lakeside Union School District board member Andrew Hayes, is hoping the support of seemingly every other Republican leader across the county can ultimately carry him to victory in the conservative 75th District.

The preliminary results were released by the region's electoral rolls on Tuesday evening. Many ballots still need to be counted in an election that will decide everything from the presidency to who answers as “mayor” in several cities across the region.

Other general elections could strengthen — or weaken — Democrats' dominance in Sacramento at a time when many residents are fed up with the soaring cost of living.

Assembly District 74

Voters in the 74th District, which covers northern San Diego County and southern Orange County, may find the choices familiar.

The first round of voting shows Chris Duncan, a Democratic San Clemente council member who unsuccessfully ran for the seat two years ago, ahead of Republican incumbent Laurie Davies.

The two disagree on a number of issues, including raising the minimum wage. Duncan believes that higher wages across the board are needed to offset rising prices, while Davies believes that forcing companies to pay more could inadvertently lead to job losses.

Assembly District 76

Another North County campaign was recently controversial.

The 76th District was already under Democratic control before the pandemic, and Darshana Patel, a researcher and Poway Unified school board member, is trying to keep it that way. Initial results show that Patel is in the lead.

Republican businesswoman Kristie Bruce-Lane is trailing after narrowly losing the same race two years ago. Bruce-Lane runs a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless children affected by domestic violence. Each candidate tried to portray the other as too extreme.

Assembly District 79

Voters in the 79th District, which covers part of San Diego and East County, are choosing between two Democrats with very different histories.

LaShae Sharp-Collins, a professor and education expert, is currently ahead. La Mesa City Council member Colin Parent hopes to repeat his dominance in the primary at some point. Sharp-Collins is the party's official nominee, although prominent Democrats offer varying degrees of support for the two.

Additional legislative races

In the 77th electoral district, Democrat Tasha Boerner leads Republican James Brown. David Alvarez, a Democratic incumbent, is also ahead of Republican Michael Williams in the race for the 80th District. Democrat Chris Ward is running unopposed for another two-year term representing the 78th Constituency.

For the State Senate, the upper house of the California legislature, Democrat Akilah Weber is leading Republican Bob Divine. Senators serve four years.

Originally published: November 5, 2024 at 8:49 pm PST