Matt Mahan conceded the governor’s race almost immediately after the polls closed Wednesday, the last moderate Democrat hope crushed between Republicans clamoring for change and partisan Democrats still chasing left-wing dreams.
As the first results came in, they reflected what had become conventional wisdom. In the race for governor, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton were nearly tied at the top, several points ahead of Democrat Tom Steyer and Republican Chad Bianco.
There will be no all-Republican general election. But there will at least be a contest between the status quo and a voice for change.
Becerra began the campaign so far behind that he was left off the debate stage. His meteoric rise will become a legend among the political consultants who made it happen. He will be the presumptive favorite to win in November, based on party ID alone. But he could face trouble ahead, as his former aides face justice in a federal corruption trial
In the closely-watched race for LA mayor, incumbent Karen Bass led in the early count, but was far short of a majority to win outright.
Challenger Spencer Pratt was about ten points behind, and eight points ahead of socialist Nithya Raman.
That likely sets up the Bass-Pratt challenge that many voters had hoped for. While Bass undoubtedly has the advantage going into the general election, thanks to the support of the public sector unions. Pratt has been an exciting campaigner and will make the race interesting.
Other races of note remained too close to call. In the contest for insurance commissioner, for example, San Francisco Democrat Jane Kim took an early lead, while Democrat Ben Allen and Republican Stacy Korsgaden dueled for second place.
Final results will have to wait. California, the fourth-largest economy in the world, still cannot count votes.
Joel Pollak is Opinion editor of the California Post.
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