ENCINITAS — In a closely-watched race in North County San Diego, Democratic candidate Catherine Blakespear holds a slight lead over her Republican opponent Matt Gunderson as of noon on Wednesday in the race for the 38th State Senate District seat, with a significant number of ballots yet to be counted.
As of 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, Blakespear had received 107,702 votes, and Gunderson garnered 106,551 votes, roughly a half-point differential, according to the California Secretary of State website.
In the Orange County portion of District 38, Gunderson holds a nearly 18-point lead over Blakespear after 100% of precincts had reported their ballots by Wednesday morning. In San Diego County, where Blakespear leads by roughly 10 percentage points, approximately 70% of votes remained to be counted.
Both candidates acknowledged the closeness of the results in statements issued to The Coast News on Wednesday.
“This is a very close race, and we’re closely monitoring the results as they come in,” said Gunderson. “I am honored to have received so much support from family, friends, and the thousands of Californians who trusted me with their vote. I will continue to advocate for an affordable, safe, and golden California, and I feel confident that the results will go our way when the counting is through.”
Late Tuesday night, Blakespear held a much stronger lead over Gunderson, 55% to 45%.
“I’m honored by the results that have come in so far. Right now, we have a lead we feel very comfortable with,” Blakespear said shortly after the results came in on Tuesday. “We always knew this would be a close election, so it’s imperative that everyone who braved the weather and made it to the polls has their voice heard. We expect that when all the votes are counted, we will be victorious.”
On Wednesday morning, however, Blakespear acknowledged the outcome remained a toss-up after Gunderson closed the gap between the two candidates overnight.
“The race is very close right now,” said Blakespear. “The outcome is uncertain, but we continue to hope that the strong lead I had last night will hold.”
— By Stephen Wyer
Bruce-Lane pulls slightly ahead of Maienschein in early returns
The competitive race for the new 76th Assembly District seat could see a potential upset after Republican challenger Kristie Bruce-Lane pulled ahead overnight into a slight lead over incumbent Democrat Brian Maienschein.
While Maienschein started with a lead early Tuesday evening, Bruce-Lane narrowly pulled ahead overnight to be up by around 600 votes at 50.37% over Maienschein’s 49.63%. Maienschein is seeking reelection to his sixth term after serving five terms representing what was formerly the 77th district.
The most recent redistricting process moved many residents into the 76th district who previously voted in the 77th and 75th districts, with the addition of inland areas such as San Marcos and Escondido — increasing the district’s Republican voting power — as well as the areas of San Pasqual, Rancho Penasquitos, Fairbanks Ranch and parts of Carmel Valley and elimination of Mira Mesa and Poway to the south.
If results continue to trend in favor of Bruce-Lane, current director of the Olivenhain Water District,
Maienschein could be unseated for what would be his last possible term in the state Assembly.
— By Laura Place
49th Congressional District
Early results show Democratic incumbent Rep. Mike Levin with a slim lead over Republican challenger Brian Maryott in the competitive race for the 49th Congressional District.
Levin, who holds 51% of votes against Maryott’s 49% as of Wednesday, celebrated the early results with friends, family and campaign supporters at the Hilton Del Mar on Tuesday night, saying that although there are votes that remain to be counted, he is optimistic about the outcome.
“We are confident that when all is said and done, we will prevail,” said Levin, who is seeking a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
This race marks the second showdown between the two candidates after Levin came out on top over Maryott in the 2020 General Election.
However, this year is more competitive, with the district leaning more conservative after adding portions of south Orange County and removing parts of the city of San Diego in the redistricting process.
President Joe Biden also flew out to San Diego County last week to stump for the Congressman as Democrats fight to maintain critical seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
As expected, San Diego County voters in the 49th made a strong early showing for Levin, while constituents in the district’s Orange County area came out supporting Maryott.
On Wednesday, 89,204 voters had returned their ballots in favor of Levin, while 85,560 votes had been cast for Maryott — a roughly 2-point differential.
Similar to the race in the 38th District, the ballots that were returned later on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning shifted the race favorably for Republicans.
In an interview with NBC News, Levin reiterated his expectation of victory in the race, pointing out that most of the remaining ballots to be counted in the 49th Congressional District were mail-in-ballots, which typically favor Democrats.
Conversely, Maryott said he was confident the overnight shift in his favor would continue and allow him to close the gap in the days to come fully.
“We are certainly optimistic with where we’re positioned,” Maryott said. “Voters are fed up with these high prices and out-of-touch politicians. We expect that as more votes are counted, we will close the 2% gap, and the voters of CA-49 will send a financial planner to Congress.”
— By Laura Place & Stephen Wyer
Updated election results for San Diego County are available at sdvote.com, and statewide results are available at electionresults.sos.ca.gov.
1 comment
Right now there is less than 1 percent between Blakespear and Gunderson
Hopefully Julie can beat Lyndes, I’m surprised it is even close as Julie is the far superior candidate
Glad to see Bruce leading
Kranz would have been beaten against one candidate, the split vote really hurt. Hopefully Tony will realize that half of Encinitas voted against him and will turn away from Blakespear policies
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