California, the nation’s most populous state, plays a critical role nationally. The Golden State often leads with progressive policy quickly mimicked by other states. California politics, however, is not for the faint of heart. Recently transformed by redistricting and a new open primary system, the political landscape is the epitome of the Wild, Wild West. How things will change in Sacramento remains to be seen. One thing remains certain: Californians are a lively bunch and largely fed up with the direction of partisan politics. So, how will Californian politicians adapt to the new status quo and appeal to independents, who make up the largest growing portion of the state’s electorate?
In a modern day, electoral “gold rush,” the Obama campaign and others are increasingly focusing fundraising efforts on California.
The results of the primary indicated that some voters took advantage of the new, open system by voting outside party lines, allowing more Independent candidates to move ahead to the November general election.
Yesterday’s vote showed what removing party control over the elections can do. We had a primary process that was about selecting the best leader to move California forward, rather than who was the best partisan to fight for their party.
Voters in San Jose and San Diego overwhelmingly approved public pension reform for their cities on Tuesday. It was beyond a landslide.
The anti-incumbent fever was scarcely evident in California’s open primary held yesterday, as Democratic U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein easily defeated all 23 of her primary challengers.
California voters have spoken. And while voter turnout was relatively low for a presidential primary, the new California top-two system ran smoothly, with no major glitches or problems.
Here’s a rundown of California’s open primary election results in Congressional Districts 27 through 53:
