SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – The intrigue in the race to replace departing California Gov. Jerry Brown isn’t who wins – it’s who comes in second in Tuesday’s primary, one of hundreds of contests across the state that could solidify Democratic dominance and reshape the fight for control of the U.S. Congress.
Brown, whose four terms spread over more than four decades are the most in state history, has not endorsed a successor. But a fellow Democrat, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, is the clear front-runner.
Because of California’s “jungle primary,” the top two vote-getters – regardless of party – advance to a runoff in November.
Newsom has said he would prefer to face a Republican and it’s understandable because Democrats dominate in California. Republican registration has fallen for years and the party has not won a statewide contest in more than a decade, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was re-elected governor in 2006.
The election is pivotal for Republicans looking to end their mounting struggles and gain a stronger foothold in the nation’s largest state. For Democrats, who risk getting shut out of key congressional races, it has massive implications for their push to retake control of the U.S. House.