California primary election brings relief to Democrats and Republicans

A series of competitive California congressional races headlined a busy day of elections nationwide

Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox speaks at his election night headquarters in San Diego, California after placing second in the primary (REUTERS/Mike Blake)

Both Republicans and Democrats have averted disaster scenarios in a California primary election seen as critical to who will control Congress in 2019.

A crowded field of Democratic challengers were vying to claim a cluster of Republican-controlled seats. Since California election rules allow the top two vote-getters to advance regardless of party, Democratic officials worried that candidates would fragment the vote and allow Republicans to claim both general election spots in a number of districts.

But Democrats were poised to win one of the top two spots in those districts, allaying fears that the party would fumble away key pickup opportunities.

For Republicans looking to defend their seats, the paramount concern was that no Republican would win a top spot in the race to be California’s next governor - thus denying voters a top-of-the-ticket option and suppressing turnout.

But Republican businessman John Cox came in second, buoyed by a late endorsement from Donald Trump, and will be the underdog challenger to Gavin Newsom, the Democratic lieutenant governor and top vote-getter.

“Congratulations to John Cox on a really big number in California. He can win”, Mr Trump tweeted the following morning.

In a sign of how heavily Mr Trump's presence will inform the race, Mr Newsom - a vocal critic of Mr Trump - responded by urging the president to continue weighing in, which would allow Mr Newsom to sharpen his contrast with the president.

“Please come campaign for him as much as possible,” Mr Newsom replied on Twitter.

Republicans will be locked out of a US Senate race in California, where incumbent Sen Dianne Feinstein coasted to a spot in the general election. She will face off against a fellow Democrat, former state Senate leader Kevin de León, who has positioned himself to Ms Feinstein’s left.

California was only one of eight states that held primary elections, and the results will shape November contests that could determine control of Congress and the shape of Donald Trump’s presidency.

In Montana, state auditor Matt Rosendale secured the Republican nomination in a critical US Senate race against incumbent Democrat Jon Tester.

Given the state’s conservative lean, Mr Tester is seen as one of the most vulnerable Senate Democrats. Mr Trump has repeatedly assailed Mr Tester, and Mr Rosendale aligned himself with Mr Trump - backing the president’s proposal for a border wall - while picking up endorsements from top conservatives.

There were also signs of trouble for incumbent New Jersey senator Bob Menendez, who was rebuked by a Senate ethics committee for taking gifts. While Mr Menendez won the Democratic nomination, nearly 40 per cent of party voters went for another Democrat - suggesting Mr Menendez may need to surmount an enthusiasm gap as he squares off against Republican Bob Hugin.

Democratic women registered a string of victories in competitive primaries across the country, securing the chance to challenge incumbent Republicans.

Female candidates secured their party’s nomination in a pair of contested Iowa districts; in Montana’s sole House district, where Democrats are keen to knock out recently elected Republican Greg Gianforte, who assaulted a reporter during a contentious special election contest; and in New Mexico, where Democrat Xochitl Torres Small won a chance to seek a seat that opened up when incumbent Republican Steve Pearce decided to run for governor.

New Mexico is also poised too send the first Native-American woman to Congress after Deb Haaland secured the Democratic nomination in a heavily Democratic district.