Clarissa Cervantes led Leticia Castillo in early returns Tuesday night, June 2, in a preview of a highly competitive race for an Inland Assembly seat.
Castillo, R-Corona, defeated Cervantes, a Democrat and Riverside city council member, by just 596 votes in 2024 in the 58th Assembly District, which represents Jurupa Valley, Grand Terrace and parts of Corona, Eastvale and Riverside.
The two candidates are poised for a November rematch since they’re the only names on the ballot. The primary results, however, could indicate whether Castillo or Cervantes have momentum going into November.
Democrats also hope to flip the 47th district, which includes cities in the San Gorgonio Pass, Coachella Valley cities and parts of Redlands, Highland and San Jacinto.
LIVE ELECTION RESULTS: See a chart of the latest vote counts
In that district, incumbent Greg Wallis, R-Rancho Mirage, led Democrats Jason Byors and Leila Namvar. Wallis leads with 48.2%, Namvar with 30.1%, followed by Byros with 21%.
From left, Democratic Assembly candidates Jason Byors and Leila Namvar and Assemblymember Greg Wallis, R-Rancho Mirage. (Photos courtesy of candidates’ campaigns)
Kamala Harris won the district by four percentage points in 2024, making it a tempting target for Democrats in what’s expected to be a blue wave election in November.
In the 34th district — communities in the San Bernardino Mountains and San Bernardino County’s High Desert — Republicans Steve Fox, Charles Frederick Hughes and Manny Lin competed with Democrat Randall Putz for the right to succeed term-limited Republican Tom Lackey. Results indicate Putz as the frontrunner with 40% of the vote, followed by Hughes with 36.6% and Fox with 18.5%.
The 41st district race has just two candidates — Democratic incumbent John Harabedian and Republican Adam Christopher Vena — on the ballot. The district’s communities include La Verne, Pasadena, Claremont, and parts of Monrovia, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland. Initial results show Harabedian leading in the polls with 62% of the votes.
Another two-person race is in the 45th district. Democratic incumbent James Ramos is being challenged by Republican Greg Abdouch in a district representing parts of Fontana, Highland, Rialto, Redlands and San Bernardino. Ramos currently leads Abdouch with 63.2%.
Three candidates faced off in the 50th district, which encompasses Loma Linda, Colton, and parts of San Bernardino, Redlands, Rialto, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Ontario. Democratic incumbent Robert Garcia is opposed by Republican Victoria Viveros Mageno and independent Roberto Jesus Moreno Jr. Garcia leads with 55.8%, followed by Mageno with 41.3% of the vote.
Two candidates are on the ballot in the 53rd district representing Montclair, Pomona, and parts of Ontario, Chino and Upland. Democratic incumbent Michelle Rodriguez is facing Republican Rafaela Romero. Rodriguez is currently leading in the polls with 58.9%, with Romero holding second place.
The 60th district — Perris, Moreno Valley and parts of Riverside, San Jacinto, and Hemet — features three candidates. Democratic incumbent Corey Jackson is running for reelection while Republicans Ed Delgado — a Moreno Valley City Council member — and Ron Edwards hope to unseat him. Early results showed Jackson leading the vote, followed by Delgado and Edwards.
In all districts, the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election. At stake are two-year terms in California’s 80-seat assembly.