The big day is here for a motley crew of candidates running in California’s “jungle” primary election, which will eliminate all but the top two vote-getters seeking local, judicial, state and federal positions.
West Hollywood voters will have a chance to cast their ballot for U.S. Senator, District Attorney, State Assemblymember, Congressperson, and a slew of L.A. Superior Court judges.
The highest-profile race is for Senator. WeHo’s longtime Congressman Adam Schiff is the front-runner, with fellow Democrat Katie Porter and Republican Steve Garvey close behind.
Schiff’s entry into the Senate race left his seat in Congress open, and more than a dozen candidates are on the ballot hoping to fill his big shoes, including WeHo Councilmember Sepi Shyne. Most likely to advance to the general election are State Sen. Anthony Portantino, Mike Feuer and LAUSD Boardmember Nick Melvoin.
Democrat Rick Chavez Zbur is likely to win re-election to the the Assembly after a successful first term. Republicans Shiva Bhageri and Stephan Hohil are running against him.
George Gascon, the progressive reformer blamed for the stark increase in crime in the county, is facing 12 challengers, including some of his own deputy district attorneys. While David Sidall and Joseph Hatami have generated buzz, the expansive field of candidates threatens to split the vote, gifting Gascon another four years in office.
What were those nearly a dozen challengers to Gascon thinking when he is likely to win more votes than any one of them, although most people will have voted against him, but those votes will be spread out among all these candidates? Far too many people vote for the familiar name, knowing nothing about the candidates record or positions. Clearly there was no strategic thinking if they really wanted to get rid of Gascon.
I don’t think you understand the concept of a primary lol.
You’re absolutely right! The two top battle it out for the November election. I had not thought that through.
Yeah, so the coalition against Gascon can unite for one candidate.
I didn’t vote for Gascon in 2020 and I can’t vote for him this time either.
Jackie Lacey wasn’t good- but she would have been better than this.
….. although my original thought applies that if there were fewer challengers it might have been two of them instead of Gascon and one of the others. When more than 75% voted against Gascon (as of the last I heard) the votes were spread out eleven different ways that could have been concentrated on two, three, or even four challengers.
Dropped off my ballot weeks ago. Thankful for ease of voting access here in California!
“Enjoy your walk home.”