2014 California elections
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Registered | 17,803,823[1] | |
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Turnout | 42.20% (![]() | |
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Elections in California |
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InCalifornia state elections,2014was the first year in which thetop statewide officeswere elected under thenonpartisan blanket primary,pursuant toProposition 14,which passed with 53% voter approval in June 2010. Under this system, which first went into effect during the2012 election year,all candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party. In the primary, voters may vote for any candidate, regardless of their party affiliation. The top two finishers, regardless of party, then advance to face each other in the general election in November.
The 2014 elections for statewide offices also coincided with those for all of California's seats to theHouse of Representatives,all of the seats of theState Assembly,all even-numbered seats of theState Senate,and statewide ballot propositions.
The primary election was held on June 3, and the general election on November 4. Although the general election saw theCalifornia Republican Partylose every statewide election (including the gubernatorial race), the party did make gains in both houses of theCalifornia State Legislature,with a net gain of four seats in the Assembly and two seats in the Senate. In both cases, the Republican gains ended the supermajorities of theCalifornia Democratic Partyin those chambers.
Congressional[edit]
All 53U.S. Representativesfrom California were up for election in 2014, but neither of the state's twoU.S. Senateseats.
Constitutional officers[edit]
Overview[edit]
California Constitutional officers elections, 2014 Primary election — June 3, 2014 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Votes | Percentage | Candidates | Advancing to general | Offices contesting | |
Democratic | 15,280,653 | 46.97% | 15 | 7 | 7 | |
Republican | 11,611,163 | 35.69% | 19 | 7 | 7 | |
Nonpartisan | 3,797,417 | 11.67% | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
Green | 788,568 | 2.42% | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
No party preference | 592,003 | 1.82% | 9 | 0 | 0 | |
Peace and Freedom | 305,373 | 0.94% | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
Libertarian | 99,056 | 0.30% | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Americans Elect | 56,072 | 0.17% | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Valid votes | 32,530,305 | — | — | — | ||
Invalid votes | — | — | — | |||
Totals | 100.00% | 56 | 16 | — | ||
Voter turnout |
California Constitutional officers elections, 2014 General election — November 4, 2014 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Votes | Percentage | Officers | +/– | ||
Democratic | 28,423,041 | 50.77% | 7 | ![]() | ||
Nonpartisan | 6,074,201 | 10.85% | 1 | ![]() | ||
Republican | 21,483,596 | 38.38% | 0 | ![]() | ||
Valid votes | 55,980,838 | — | — | |||
Invalid votes | — | — | ||||
Totals | 100.00% | 8 | — | |||
Voter turnout |
Governor[edit]
IncumbentDemocraticGovernorJerry Brownwon re-election to a second consecutive and fourth overall term in office. Although governors are limited to lifetime service of two terms in office, Brown previously served as governor from 1975 to 1983, and the law only affects terms served after 1990.[2][3][4]
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Jerry Brown(incumbent) | 2,354,769 | 54.3 | |
Republican | Neel Kashkari | 839,767 | 19.4 | |
Republican | Tim Donnelly | 643,236 | 14.8 | |
Republican | Andrew Blount | 89,749 | 2.1 | |
Republican | Glenn Champ | 76,066 | 1.8 | |
Green | Luis J. Rodriguez | 66,872 | 1.5 | |
Peace and Freedom | Cindy Sheehan | 52,707 | 1.2 | |
Republican | Alma Marie Winston | 46,042 | 1.1 | |
No party preference | Robert Newman | 44,120 | 1.0 | |
Democratic | Akinyemi Agbede | 37,024 | 0.9 | |
Republican | Richard William Aguirre | 35,125 | 0.8 | |
No party preference | "Bo" Bogdan Ambrozewicz | 14,929 | 0.3 | |
No party preference | Janel Hyeshia Buycks | 12,136 | 0.3 | |
No party preference | Rakesh Kumar Christian | 11,142 | 0.3 | |
No party preference | Joe Leicht | 9,307 | 0.2 | |
Democratic | Karen Jill Bernal (write-in) | 17 | 0.0 | |
No party preference | Nickolas Wildstar (write-in) | 17 | 0.0 | |
No party preference | Jimelle L. Walls (write-in) | 3 | 0.0 | |
Total votes | 4,333,028 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Jerry Brown(incumbent) | 4,388,368 | 60.0 | |
Republican | Neel Kashkari | 2,929,213 | 40.0 | |
Total votes | 7,317,581 | 100.0 | ||
Democratichold |
Lieutenant governor[edit]
Incumbent Democratic lieutenant governorGavin Newsomwon re-election to a second term in office.
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Gavin Newsom(incumbent) | 2,082,902 | 49.9 | |
Republican | Ron Nehring | 976,128 | 23.4 | |
Republican | David Fennell | 357,242 | 8.6 | |
Republican | George Yang | 333,857 | 8.0 | |
Democratic | Eric Korevaar | 232,596 | 5.6 | |
Green | Jena F. Goodman | 98,338 | 2.4 | |
Americans Elect | Alan Reynolds | 56,027 | 1.3 | |
Peace and Freedom | Amos Johnson | 39,675 | 0.9 | |
Total votes | 4,176,765 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Gavin Newsom(incumbent) | 4,107,051 | 57.2 | |
Republican | Ron Nehring | 3,078,039 | 42.8 | |
Total votes | 7,185,090 | 100.0 | ||
Democratichold |
Attorney general[edit]
Incumbent Democratic attorney generalKamala Harriswon re-election to a second term in office.
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Kamala Harris(incumbent) | 2,177,480 | 53.2 | |
Republican | Ronald Gold | 504,091 | 12.3 | |
Republican | Phil Wyman | 479,498 | 11.7 | |
Republican | David King | 368,190 | 9.0 | |
Republican | John Haggerty | 336,433 | 8.2 | |
No party preference | Orly Taitz | 130,451 | 3.2 | |
Libertarian | Jonathan Jaech | 99,056 | 2.4 | |
Total votes | 4,095,169 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Kamala Harris(incumbent) | 4,102,649 | 57.5 | |
Republican | Ronald Gold | 3,033,476 | 42.5 | |
Total votes | 7,136,125 | 100.0 | ||
Democratichold |
Secretary of State[edit]
Incumbent Democratic secretary of stateDebra Bowenwas term-limited out of office.
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Alex Padilla | 1,217,371 | 30.2 | |
Republican | Pete Peterson | 1,194,715 | 29.7 | |
Democratic | Leland Yee(withdrawn) | 380,361 | 9.4 | |
No party preference | Dan Schnur | 369,898 | 9.2 | |
Democratic | Derek Cressman | 306,375 | 7.6 | |
Republican | Roy Allmond | 256,668 | 6.4 | |
Democratic | Jeffrey H. Drobman | 178,521 | 4.4 | |
Green | David Curtis | 121,618 | 3.0 | |
Total votes | 4,025,527 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Alex Padilla | 3,799,711 | 53.6 | |
Republican | Pete Peterson | 3,285,334 | 46.4 | |
Total votes | 7,085,045 | 100.0 | ||
Democratichold |
Treasurer[edit]
Incumbent Democratic state treasurerBill Lockyerwas term-limited out of office.
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | John Chiang | 2,250,098 | 55.0 | |
Republican | Greg Conlon | 1,571,532 | 38.4 | |
Green | Ellen H. Brown | 270,388 | 6.6 | |
Total votes | 4,092,018 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | John Chiang | 4,176,793 | 58.8 | |
Republican | Greg Conlon | 2,925,895 | 41.2 | |
Total votes | 7,102,688 | 100.0 | ||
Democratichold |
Controller[edit]
Incumbent Democratic State ControllerJohn Chiangwas term-limited out of office.
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Republican | Ashley Swearengin | 1,001,473 | 24.8 | |
Democratic | Betty T. Yee | 878,195 | 21.7 | |
Democratic | John Pérez | 877,714 | 21.7 | |
Republican | David Evans | 850,109 | 21.0 | |
Green | Laura Wells | 231,352 | 5.7 | |
Democratic | Tammy D. Blair | 200,532 | 5.0 | |
Total votes | 4,039,375 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Betty T. Yee | 3,810,304 | 54.0 | |
Republican | Ashley Swearengin | 3,249,688 | 46.0 | |
Total votes | 7,059,992 | 100.0 | ||
Democratichold |
Insurance Commissioner[edit]
Incumbent Democratic Insurance CommissionerDave Joneswon re-election to a second term in office.
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Dave Jones(incumbent) | 2,106,671 | 53.1 | |
Republican | Ted Gaines | 1,651,242 | 41.6 | |
Peace and Freedom | Nathalie Hrizi | 212,991 | 5.4 | |
Total votes | 3,970,904 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Dave Jones(incumbent) | 4,038,165 | 57.5 | |
Republican | Ted Gaines | 2,981,951 | 42.5 | |
Total votes | 7,020,116 | 100.0 | ||
Democratichold |
Superintendent of Public Instruction[edit]
Incumbent Superintendent of Public InstructionTom Torlaksonwon reelection to a second term in office. The office is nonpartisan.
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Tom Torlakson(incumbent) | 1,765,257 | 46.5 | |
Marshall Tuck | 1,098,441 | 28.9 | |
Lydia A. Gutiérrez | 931,719 | 24.5 | |
Total votes | 3,797,417 | 100.0 |
Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Tom Torlakson(incumbent) | 3,167,212 | 52.1 | |
Marshall Tuck | 2,906,989 | 47.9 | |
Total votes | 6,074,201 | 100.0 |
Board of Equalization[edit]
Incumbent Board of Equalization members RepublicanGeorge Runnerand DemocratJerome Hortonran for re-election, while RepublicanMichelle Steeland DemocratBetty T. Yeewere term-limited out of office.
California Board of Equalization elections, 2014 Primary election — June 3, 2014 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Votes | Percentage | Candidates | Advancing to general | Seats contesting | |
Democratic | 2,003,631 | 55.2% | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Republican | 1,624,246 | 44.8% | 8 | 4 | 4 | |
Libertarian | 198 | 0.0% | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Peace and Freedom | 170 | 0.0% | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Valid votes | 3,628,255 | — | — | — | ||
Invalid votes | — | — | — | |||
Totals | 100% | 16 | 8 | — | ||
Voter turnout |
California Board of Equalization elections, 2014 General election — November 4, 2014 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats | +/– | ||
Democratic | 3,674,237 | 53.50% | 2 | ![]() | ||
Republican | 3,193,444 | 46.50% | 2 | ![]() | ||
Valid votes | 6,867,681 | — | — | |||
Invalid votes | — | — | ||||
Totals | 100% | 4 | — | |||
Voter turnout |
District 1[edit]
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Republican | George Runner(incumbent) | 608,637 | 59.8 | |
Democratic | Chris Parker | 408,343 | 40.2 | |
Total votes | 1,016,980 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Republican | George Runner(incumbent) | 984,604 | 57.8 | |
Democratic | Chris Parker | 718,129 | 42.2 | |
Total votes | 1,702,733 | 100.0 | ||
Republicanhold |
District 2[edit]
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Fiona Ma | 876,378 | 68.9 | |
Republican | James E. Theis | 396,241 | 31.1 | |
Total votes | 1,272,619 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Fiona Ma | 1,448,657 | 68.7 | |
Republican | James E. Theis | 660,973 | 31.3 | |
Total votes | 2,109,630 | 100.0 | ||
Democratichold |
District 3[edit]
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Jerome Horton(incumbent) | 402,244 | 99.5 | |
Republican | G. Rick Marshall (write-in) | 1,849 | 0.5 | |
Libertarian | Jose E. Castaneda (write-in) | 198 | 0.0 | |
Peace and Freedom | Eric S. Moren (write-in) | 134 | 0.0 | |
Peace and Freedom | Jan B. Tucker (write-in) | 36 | 0.0 | |
Total votes | 404,461 | 100.0 | ||
General election | ||||
Democratic | Jerome Horton(incumbent) | 858,471 | 62.4 | |
Republican | G. Rick Marshall | 517,287 | 37.6 | |
Total votes | 1,375,758 | 100.0 | ||
Democratichold |
District 4[edit]
Primary election | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Republican | Diane Harkey | 324,642 | 34.8 | |
Democratic | Nader Shahatit | 316,666 | 33.9 | |
Republican | John F. Kelly | 101,836 | 10.9 | |
Republican | Van Tran | 84,162 | 9.0 | |
Republican | Shirley Horton | 74,794 | 8.0 | |
Republican | Lewis Da Silva | 32,094 | 3.4 | |
Total votes | 934,194 | 100 | ||
General election | ||||
Republican | Diane Harkey | 1,030,580 | 61.4 | |
Democratic | Nader Shahatit | 648,980 | 38.6 | |
Total votes | 1,679,560 | 100.00 | ||
Republicanhold |
State legislature[edit]
State Senate[edit]
Voters in the20 even-numbered districtsof the California State Senate elected their representatives.
State Assembly[edit]
Voters in all 80 ofCalifornia'sstate assemblydistricts elected their representatives.
Statewide ballot propositions[edit]
June primary election[edit]
The following propositions were on the June ballot:
- Proposition 41-Passed[5]
- TheVeterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act Of 2014is a legislatively referred statute that authorizes $600 million in bonds for affordable multifamily housing for veterans and their families.[6]Supporters argued that this would fund such housing for low income and homeless veterans, while opponents were concerned that it would divert funds from the bonds previously approved underProposition 12 on 2008to assist veterans in general who are purchasing properties.[7]
- Proposition 42-Passed[8]
- This initiative constitutional amendment requires local governments to comply with laws that provide public access to their body meetings and records of government officials. It also eliminates the reimbursement for the costs of such compliance.[9]Supporters argued for the need for such open public access, while opponents disagreed with provisions that would impose the costs of compliance upon the local governments involved instead of the state.[7]
November general election[edit]
The following propositions have qualified for the November ballot:
- Proposition 1-Passed
- TheSafe, Clean, and Reliable Water Supply Actis a legislatively referred statute that authorizes bonds to upgrade California's water system. The original bill was going to be appear on the November 2010 ballot, but the California Legislature postponed the vote until now. This measure was then originally numbered as Proposition 43, but on August 13, the legislature passed a revised version of the proposal for the 2014 ballot to address issues ofthe ongoing statewide drought,and numbered this new one as Proposition 1.[10][11]This updated proposal authorizes $7.12 billion in general obligation bonds, and reallocates $425 million of unused bond authority from prior water bond acts, for various state water supply infrastructure projects. Supporters believed that this will help provide safe and reliable supplies of water to farms, businesses and communities, especially during the current drought. Opponents argued that the proposed specific projects in the initiative are misplaced, saying that there is too much emphasis on building new dams, which does not really help to relieve the drought.[12]
- Proposition 2-Passed
- This legislative constitutional amendment makes several changes relating to state's reserve policy. It, among others, establishes a replacement version of the Budget Stabilization Account (first enacted perProposition 58 in 2004), in which it will annually receive 1.5% of the estimated amount of General Fund revenues for each respective fiscal year. The Act also creates another reserve fund for public schools funding (as mandated perProposition 98 in 1988) called the Public School System Stabilization Account. This measure was then originally numbered as Proposition 44, but was then re-numbered as Proposition 2.[10]Supporters argued that this provides a strong rainy day fund, while opponents disagreed (among others) with provisions setting a maximum amount of reserves that school districts could keep at the local level.[11]
- Proposition 45-Failed[13]
- Under this initiative, any health insurance rate change will need to be approved by the state's Insurance Commissioner before it can take effect. Any health insurer requesting such approval will need to provide information to justify their rate changes. The measure also provides procedures for public notice, disclosure, hearing, and subsequent judicial review for this approval process; it was different from similar states in allowing members of the public to sue the commissioner over approved rate hikes.[10][14]Supporters believed that this will stop price gouging. Opponents were concerned about giving that much power to the Insurance Commissioner, who as an elected politician could be easily influenced be special interest groups.[11]
- Proposition 46-Failed[13]
- This initiative will require the regular drug and alcohol testing of doctors. Administration of this will be given to theCalifornia Medical Board.Doctors will also be required to report any other doctor suspected of being under the influence while on duty. In addition, doctors will be required to check the state's CURES (Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System) prescription drug history database before prescribing certain controlled substances to patients. Furthermore, the $250,000 cap on pain and suffering damages in medical negligence lawsuits will be increased to account for inflation.[10]Supporters argued that this will reduce medical negligence, while opponents were concerned that the cap increase in medical negligence lawsuits will eventually lead to higherhealth care costs.[11]
- Proposition 47-Passed[13]
- This initiative downgrades the sentencing classification, from felonies to misdemeanors, for the crimes of petty theft, receiving stolen property, and forging/writing bad checks when the value or amount involved is $950 or less. However, a person who has a previous conviction for crimes such as rape, murder or child molestation or is a registered sex offender will still get a felony sentence. In addition, people currently serving felony sentences for these crimes will be re-sentenced unless a court determines that they are an unreasonable public safety risk. The resulting net savings in the state's criminal justice system will then be applied to a new "Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund" for mental health and drug treatment programs, K-12 schools, and crime victims.[10]Supporters argued that this will reduce spending and government waste in the state's overcrowded prisons; opponents argued that this could potentially release over 10,000 prisoners, reduce penalties for stealing guns and sex crimes, and overburden the state justice system.[11]
- Proposition 48-Failed[13]
- This was a referendum on Assembly Bill 277. Passed by the legislature and signed by the governor in July 2013, it ratified gaming compacts with theNorthfork Rancheria of Mono Indiansand theWiyot Tribe.[10]Under the compacts, the Northfork tribe were permitted to build a casino with 2000 slot machines inMadera Countyon land that was accepted into federal trust for gaming, instead of building one on their reservation nearYosemite.The Wiyot Tribe would have then received a percentage of the revenue from the Northfork's casino, in exchange for not building one of their own on their land near theHumboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.The tribes were also given exemptions to theCalifornia Environmental Quality Act"in deference to tribal sovereignty".[15]Supporters of the compacts argued that the proposed casino will bring jobs and tax money, as well as avoid potentially negative environmental impact in both Yosemite and Humboldt Bay; opponents said that this would have paved the way for massive off-reservation casinos.[11]
Proposition 49-Removed from the ballot by order of theCalifornia Supreme Court[16]- Originally put on the ballot by the state legislature, Proposition 49 would have been non-binding advisory question presented to voters, asking if theU.S. Congressshould propose an amendment to theU.S. Constitutionto overturn theU.S. Supreme Court's 2010 ruling inCitizens United v. Federal Election Commission.In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the government is prohibited from restricting campaign contributions and other political independent expenditures by corporations, associations, or labor unions.[17]This proposition alone would have no binding legal effect, and it will only be submitted to Congress as a formal request; underArticle Five of the U.S. Constitution,the process for amending the Constitution can only be initiated by either Congress or anational conventionassembled at the request of thelegislaturesof at least two-thirds (at present 34) of the states. On August 11, theCalifornia Supreme Courtordered that the measure be pulled from the November ballot pending further state constitutional review: at issue is that the state legislature has no defined specific power to place such advisory measures on the ballot.[16]
Local races[edit]
Local races included:
- A runoff in theSan Diego mayoral special electionwas held on February 11. The special election was necessary following the resignation ofBob Filneron August 30, 2013.[18]A primary election was held on November 19, 2013. Since no candidate received a majority of the vote in the first round, a runoff election was held between the top two vote-getters on February 11.[19]In the runoff,RepublicanKevin FaulconerdefeatedDemocraticcandidateDavid Alvarez.
- TheSan Jose mayoral electionwill determine the successor to incumbentDemocraticMayorChuck Reed,who is term-limited out of office. A primary election was held on June 3. As no candidate received a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held between the top two vote-getters,Dave Corteseand Sam Liccardo, on November 4.[20]
References[edit]
- ^ab"Historical Voter Registration and Participation"(PDF).California Secretary of State.
- ^Shelley, Kevin (October 2003)."Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Office of Governor"(PDF).California Secretary of State Department. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on November 28, 2008.RetrievedFebruary 23,2009.
- ^"Campaign Finance: Brown For Governor 2014".California Secretary of State.RetrievedAugust 6,2013.
- ^"Brown Shows Early Lead for 2014 California Gubernatorial Race".IVN.Archived fromthe originalon August 8, 2013.RetrievedAugust 6,2013.
- ^"2018 California General Election Results".Election Results.Archived fromthe originalon June 8, 2014.RetrievedJune 15,2014.
- ^Analysis by the Legislative Analyst
- ^abQuick reference guide
- ^"2018 California General Election Results".Election Results.Archived fromthe originalon June 8, 2014.RetrievedJune 15,2014.
- ^Analysis by the legal analyst
- ^abcdef"Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures".California Secretary of State.Archived fromthe originalon August 29, 2012.RetrievedAugust 23,2014.
- ^abcdef"Quick-Reference Guide".2014 General Election Official Voter Information Guide(PDF).California Secretary of State.RetrievedAugust 28,2014.
- ^2014 Supplemental General Election Official Voter Information Guide(PDF).California Secretary of State.RetrievedOctober 19,2014.
- ^abcdTracy Seipel and Jessica Calefati for the Mercury News. Nov. 4, 2014California voters reject Propositions 45, 46, 48; pass 47
- ^Ian Lovett for the New York Times. Oct. 29, 2014.California's Proposition 45 Would Offer Public a Say on Health Insurance Rates
- ^"Bill Text - AB-277 Tribal gaming: compact ratification".leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
- ^ab"'Citizens United' Measure Removed From California's Fall Ballot ".KQED. August 11, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon August 26, 2014.RetrievedAugust 23,2014.
- ^McGreevy, Patrick."Gov. Brown allows advisory ballot measure on Citizens United decision - Los Angeles Times".latimes.
- ^"Special election to replace Filner set for November 19".KFMB-TV.August 28, 2013.RetrievedAugust 30,2013.
- ^"Council sets Feb. 11 for special mayoral election | LGBT Weekly".Archived fromthe originalon July 6, 2014.RetrievedJuly 13,2014.
- ^"Cortese, Liccardo in runoff for San Jose mayor".KTVU.June 4, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon June 8, 2014.RetrievedJune 5,2014.
External links[edit]
- Statewide Election Results from the California Secretary of State's Elections Division