Here’s what we know about California 2022 election results

Updated Dec. 6, 4 p.m.

From the race for governor to who will represent the Sacramento region in the state Legislature, California voters were asked to make the call on a number of key offices in the 2022 midterm elections. Here's a look at what we know about results in some of the major races in the state as of Tuesday afternoon.

Results for most races may not be finalized for several days as mail-in ballots continue to arrive in county elections offices for processing. 

CapRadio and NPR rely on the Associated Press for race calls. Here is information about how the process works and what to expect with results in the coming days. 

See the full California election results here, and learn more about state propositions results here. 

Statewide offices

Governor

Gavin Newsom will get another term as governor of California after winning re-election, according to a race call from the Associated Press.

Gavin Newsom sails to reelection as California governor

Newsom led Republican challenger Brian Dahle, a state senator from rural Northern California, 59-41% Tuesday afternoon. The AP called the race just after polls closed on Election Day. After defeating a recall election in 2021, Newsom was in a comfortable position this cycle. He spent much of this fall’s campaign season stumping for other Democratic candidates and causes, including a ballot proposition to add the right to an abortion to California’s constitution.

U.S. Senate

Alex Padilla (D) has won his first full term to the U.S. Senate after being appointed to fill the seat vacated by Vice President Kamala Harris. He was being challenged by attorney Mark Meuser (R). Padilla is actually on the ballot twice, once to finish the remainder of Harris' term, and once for his first full term. The AP has called both races for Padilla.

Attorney General 

Incumbent Rob Bonta (D) will stay as California Attorney General, according to a race call from the Associated Press. Bonta had around 59% of the vote Tuesday afternoon, with challenger Nathan Hochman (R) at 41% with around 99% of the expected vote in, according to the AP.

Bonta was appointed to the position by Newsom in early 2021. He replaced Xavier Becerra, who was appointed to a cabinet position in the Biden administration. Hochman is a former federal prosecutor who has not previously held public office.

Controller 

Democrat Malia Cohen has won the race for state controller, according to a race call from the Associated Press. Cohen had around 55% of the vote Tuesday with Republican Lanhee Chen at 45% with around 99% of the expected vote in.

Cohen currently sits on the California Board of Equalization. She is also a former San Francisco Supervisor. Chen, a Stanford University professor who received endorsements from former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang and editorial boards including the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle, was seen as a possibility to be the first Republican to hold statewide office in California since 2006.

Congressional

State Legislature

8th Senate District 

Sacramento City Council member Angelique Ashby has defeated former California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, according to a race call from the Associated Press. Ashby had 52% of the votes counted on Tuesday afternoon, with around 99% of the expected votes in. Jones conceded to Ashby on Nov. 29. 

The two Democrats were vying in a bitter and expensive race to replace outgoing state Sen. Richard Pan. An infusion of independent expenditures in the waning weeks of the campaign led to a wave of negative mailers and advertisements targeting both candidates. 

The seat represents the cities of Sacramento and Elk Grove in the state Senate.

6th Senate District

In the 6th Senate District, Republican former Assembly member Roger Niello has defeated Democratic San Juan School Board member Paula Villescaz, according to a race call from the Associated Press. Niello had 56% of the vote compared to 47% for Villescaz, with 99% of the expected vote in on Tuesday afternoon. The district includes the Sacramento County communities of Lincoln, Roseville, Folsom, Rancho Cordova and Galt.

6th Assembly District

Assembly member Kevin McCarty (D) will serve another term in state Assembly, according to a race call from the Associated Press. McCarty had 66% of the vote and his challenger, airline pilot Cathy Cook (R), had 34% Tuesday with 99% of the expected vote in. The district covers Natomas, downtown Sacramento and the Arden-Arcade area.

7th Assembly District 

Republican challenger Josh Hoover maintained an edge in the current vote count over incumbent Assembly member Ken Cooley on Tuesday afternoon, 50.42% to 49.58%. Around 99% of the expected vote is in, according to the AP. Cooley conceded the race on Nov. 29.

Cooley has been in the Legislature since 2012 and is looking for two more years before he hits term limits. The district became more conservative following last year’s redistricting.

10th Assembly District

In another Democrat-vs-Democrat race, Stephanie Nguyen has defeated Eric Guerra, according to a race call from the Associated Press. Nguyen held 54% of the vote on Tuesday afternoon, with around 99% of the expected vote in Tuesday afternoon. Guerra conceded the race to Nguyen.

Eric Guerra is on the Sacramento City Council and Stephanie Nguyen is an Elk Grove council member who also runs a nonprofit.