Gavin Newsom cruises to victory in primary, advances to general election

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom, cruised to a win with just less than 60% of the votes in the California primary on Tuesday.

Behind him was Republican Brian Dahle with more than 572,000 votes. 

Now in California’s primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election so Newsom will face Dahle again in the general election.

AP News is projecting Newsom already as a big favorite in that race.

Newsom crushed a field of 25 other candidates less than a year after voters tried to recall him from office.

And he now is off to head start with more than $23 million in the bank for a November general election.

Newsom will run on a progressive agenda that includes stricter gun laws and enhanced abortion services.

Another advantage is Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-to-1 in California and hold every statewide office and have huge majorities in the legislature and congressional delegation. California also hasn’t had a republican U.S. Senator since 1992

So it will be an uphill climb for Dahle who now has five months and just $400,000 in campaign funds to introduce himself to voters in some of the most expensive media markets in the country.

His first task will be to raise the money necessary to compete with Newsom statewide, before tackling his primary issue of gas prices.