California elections, 2014
Elections in California | ||||||||||
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California state elections in 2014 was the first year in which the top statewide offices were elected under the nonpartisan blanket primary, pursuant to Proposition 14, which passed with 53% voter approval in June 2010. Under this system, which first went into effect during the 2012 election year, all candidates will 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 the House of Representatives, all of the seats of the State Assembly, all even-numbered seats of the State 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 the California Republican Party lose every statewide election (including the gubernatorial race), the party did make gains in both houses of the California 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 the California Democratic Party in those chambers.
Congressional
All 53 U.S. Representatives from California were up for election in 2014, but neither of the state's two U.S. Senate seats.
Constitutional officers
Overview
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
Incumbent Democratic Governor Jerry Brown won 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.[1][2][3]
California gubernatorial election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Lieutenant Governor
Incumbent Democratic Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom won re-election to a second term in office.
California lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Attorney General
Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Kamala Harris won re-election to a second term in office.
California Attorney General election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Secretary of State
Incumbent Democratic Secretary of State Debra Bowen was term-limited out of office.
California Secretary of State election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Treasurer
Incumbent Democratic State Treasurer Bill Lockyer was term-limited out of office.
California State Treasurer election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Controller
Incumbent Democratic State Controller John Chiang was term-limited out of office.
California State Controller election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Insurance Commissioner
Incumbent Democratic Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones won re-election to a second term in office.
California Insurance Commissioner election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson won reelection to a second term in office. The office is nonpartisan.
Candidate | Votes | Percentage | |
---|---|---|---|
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 | Percentage | |
---|---|---|---|
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
Incumbent Board of Equalization members Republican George Runner and Democrat Jerome Horton ran for re-election, while Republican Michelle Park Steel and Democrat Betty T. Yee are 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
California's 1st Board of Equalization district election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Primary election | ||||
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Republican | George Runner (incumbent) | 608,637 | 59.85 | |
Democratic | Chris Parker | 408,343 | 40.15 | |
Total votes | 1,016,980 | 100 | ||
General election | ||||
Republican | George Runner (incumbent) | 984,604 | 57.8 | |
Democratic | Chris Parker | 718,129 | 42.2 | |
Total votes | 1,702,733 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
District 2
California's 2nd Board of Equalization district election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Primary election | ||||
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Fiona Ma | 876,378 | 68.86 | |
Republican | James E. Theis | 396,241 | 31.14 | |
Total votes | 1,272,619 | 100 | ||
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 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
District 3
California's 3rd Board of Equalization district election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Primary election | ||||
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
Democratic | Jerome Horton (incumbent) | 402,244 | 99.45 | |
Republican | G. Rick Marshall (write-in) | 1,849 | 0.46 | |
Libertarian | Jose E. Castaneda (write-in) | 198 | 0.05 | |
Peace and Freedom | Eric S. Moren (write-in) | 134 | 0.03 | |
Peace and Freedom | Jan B. Tucker (write-in) | 36 | 0.01 | |
Total votes | 404,461 | 100 | ||
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 | ||
Democratic hold | ||||
District 4
California's 4th Board of Equalization district election, 2014 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
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 | 9.01 | |
Republican | Shirley Horton | 74,794 | 8.01 | |
Republican | Lewis Da Silva | 32,094 | 3.44 | |
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 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
State legislature
State Senate
Voters in the 20 even-numbered districts of the California State Senate elected their representatives.
State Assembly
Voters in all 80 of California's state assembly districts elected their representatives.
Statewide ballot propositions
June primary election
The following propositions were on the June ballot:
- Proposition 41 - Passed[4]
- The Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act Of 2014 is a legislatively referred statute that authorizes $600 million in bonds for affordable multifamily housing for veterans and their families.[5] 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 under Proposition 12 on 2008 to assist veterans in general who are purchasing properties.[6]
- Proposition 42 - Passed[7]
- 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.[8] 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.[6]
November general election
The following propositions have qualified for the November ballot:
- Proposition 1 - Passed
- The Safe, Clean, and Reliable Water Supply Act is 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 of the ongoing statewide drought, and numbered this new one as Proposition 1.[9][10] 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.[11]
- 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 per Proposition 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 per Proposition 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.[9] 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.[10]
- Proposition 45 - Failed[12]
- 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 than similar states in allowing members of the public to sue the commissioner over approved rate hikes.[9][13] 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.[10]
- Proposition 46 - Failed[12]
- This initiative will require the regular drug and alcohol testing of doctors. Administration of this will be given to the California 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.[9] Supporters argued that this will reduce medical negligence, while opponents were concerned that the cap increase in medical negligence lawsuits will eventually lead to higher health care costs.[10]
- Proposition 47 - Passed[12]
- 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.[9] 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.[10]
- Proposition 48 - Failed[12]
- 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 the Northfork Rancheria of Mono Indians and the Wiyot Tribe.[9] Under the compacts, the Northfork tribe were permitted to build a casino with 2000 slot machines in Madera County on land that was accepted into federal trust for gaming, instead of building one on their reservation near Yosemite. The Wiyot Tribe would have then receive a percentage of the revenue from the Northfork's casino, in exchange for not building one of their own on their land near the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The tribes were also given exemptions to the California Environmental Quality Act "in deference to tribal sovereignty".[14] 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.[10]
-
Proposition 49- Removed from the ballot by order of the California Supreme Court[15]- Originally put on the ballot by the state legislature, Proposition 49 would have been non-binding advisory question presented to voters, asking if the U.S. Congress should propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 ruling in Citizens 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.[16] This proposition alone would have no binding legal effect, and it will only be submitted to Congress as a formal request; under Article Five of the U.S. Constitution, the process for amending the Constitution can only be initiated by either Congress or a national convention assembled at the request of the legislatures of at least two-thirds (at present 34) of the states. On August 11, the California Supreme Court ordered 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.[15]
Local races
Local races included:
- A runoff in the San Diego mayoral special election was held on February 11. The special election was necessary following the resignation of Bob Filner on August 30, 2013.[17] 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.[18] In the runoff, Republican Kevin Faulconer defeated Democratic candidate David Alvarez.
- The San Jose mayoral election will determine the successor to incumbent Democratic Mayor Chuck 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 Cortese and Sam Liccardo, on November 4.[19]
References
- ↑ Shelley, Kevin (October 2003). "Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Office of Governor" (PDF). California Secretary of State Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 28, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2009.
- ↑ "Campaign Finance: Brown For Governor 2014". California Secretary of State. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
- ↑ "Brown Shows Early Lead for 2014 California Gubernatorial Race". IVN. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
- ↑ http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/maps/ballot-measures/prop/41/
- ↑ http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2014/primary/pdf/42-title-summ-analysis.pdf
- 1 2 http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2014/primary/pdf/quick-reference-guide.pdf
- ↑ http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/maps/ballot-measures/prop/42/
- ↑ http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2014/primary/pdf/41-title-summ-analysis.pdf
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures". California Secretary of State. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Quick-Reference Guide". 2014 General Election Official Voter Information Guide (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
- ↑ 2014 Supplemental General Election Official Voter Information Guide (PDF). California Secretary of State. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Tracy Seipel and Jessica Calefati for the Mercury News. Nov. 4, 2014 California 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
- ↑ http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB277
- 1 2 "'Citizens United' Measure Removed From California's Fall Ballot". KQED. August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.latimes.com/local/political/la-me-pc-brown-allows-advisory-ballot-measure-on-citizens-united-decision-20140716-story.html
- ↑ "Special election to replace Filner set for November 19". KFMB-TV. August 28, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ↑ http://lgbtweekly.com/2013/12/19/council-sets-feb-11-for-special-mayoral-election/
- ↑ "Cortese, Liccardo in runoff for San Jose mayor". KTVU. June 4, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
External links
- California Elections and Voter Information from the California Secretary of State