California Democrats appeared Tuesday evening to have strong chances of snaring spots in the November general election as they try to begin a “blue wave” by replacing Republican congressional representatives in key Southland districts.
In the race to replace retiring Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton, in the 39th Congressional District, Republican Young Kim, a former assemblywoman who had Royce’s endorsement, was leading the way with 27 percent of the early vote returns. However, Democrat Gil Cisneros was winning the battle for second place with roughly 16 percent of early returns, ahead of another Republican candidate in the crowded field of 17: businessman Phil Liberatore, who had nearly 12 percent of early voters’ support.
Cisneros is an education advocate who won a record $266 million in the Mega Millions lottery in 2010.
None of the other candidates — five Republicans, five Democrats, two without a party preference and two from the American Independent Party — had more than 8 percent of the vote, with approximately 15 percent of precincts reporting.
That includes Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson and his fellow Republicans: former state Sen. Bob Huff; La Mirada Councilman Andrew Sarega; Brea Councilman Steve Vargas; and accountant John Cullum. Democratic contenders include health educator and entrepreneur Andy Thorburn; Sam Jammal, who worked in the Commerce Department during the Obama administration and was associate manager and regulatory counsel for electric carmaker Tesla in 2017; Harvard-educated pediatrician Mai Khanh Tran; Fullerton physician Herbert Lee; and Garden Grove resident Suzi Park Leggett.
Some Democratic Party officials had expressed concern that the district was among those with too many Democrats filing to run, thus splitting the vote and potentially allowing Republicans to take the top two places and leave the Democrats without a candidate in the November general election.
The top two candidates in all state and federal races will advance to the general election, regardless of party.
The district includes portions of eastern Los Angeles County, northern Orange County and Chino Hills and a portion of Chino in southwestern San Bernardino County.
Further south, where 16 candidates are vying to fill the seat being vacated by Republican Darrell Issa, R-Vista, in the 49th Congressional District, former Assemblywoman Diane Harkey grabbed an early lead for Republicans with almost 25 percent of the vote, likely helped by Issa’s endorsement.
However, three Democrats — retired Marine Col. Doug Applegate, who nearly defeated Issa during the last election cycle, education nonprofit CEO Sara Jacobs and former Orange County Democratic Party official Mike Levin — were in a close contest for the second spot in the November general election. Levin, Jacobs and Applegate had roughly 17, 15 and 13 percent of the early returns, respectively.
All the other candidates from either party had less than 10 percent of the vote.
The seat straddles Orange and San Diego counties, stretching from Dana Point to La Jolla, and Democrats and Republicans have been pouring money in the race, making it one of the most expensive congressional races in the country.
Democrats are also targeting the 48th Congressional District seat of Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, who had nearly 30 percent of early returns, but less of a lead than he’d like ahead of Democratic challengers and a opponents from his own party.
Democratic biologist Hans Keirstead, who was endorsed by the California Democratic Party, and former Orange County Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh, both picked up about 18 percent of the earliest votes reported. And another Democrat, businessman Harley Rouda, was close behind with almost 15 percent, upping the odds of a spot for Dems on the November ballot.
Speaking to his supporters in Orange County, Rohrabacher appeared un-concerned about his 30 percent showing as he proclaimed victory.
“Orange County, we are taking back America right here,” he said.
Rohrabacher has faced questions in recent months about his connections with people tied to the Kremlin, leaving him open to Baugh’s challenge and the possibility that voters will be choosing between two Republicans in the November general election.
Another closely watched race is in northern Los Angeles County, where Steve Knight, R-Lancaster, is looking for a third term in the 25th Congressional District, which covers the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys.
Knight had broad support, with almost 55 percent of votes, with about 12 percent of ballots tallied in the district. Attorney Bryan Caforio, a Democrat who narrowly lost to Knight in 2016, is challenging Knight with about 20 percent of the vote, with Democrat Katie Hill, the executive director and deputy CEO of the homeless services nonprofit organization PATH, not far behind, with roughly 18 percent. Jess Phoenix, a geologist, and businesswoman Mary Pallant both picked up less than 5 percent of early votes.
Nationwide, Democrats need to flip 23 congressional seats to re-take control of the House. All 53 of California’s congressional seats are on Tuesday’s ballot.