Matchup to replace Rep. Tauscher is set

California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi (D) and businessman David Harmer (R) will face off in the special election to replace former Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-Calif.).

With all 176 precincts reporting in results delayed by wildfires in the region, Garamendi led the multi-party field with 26.1 percent of the vote. Harmer followed in second at 20.6 percent.

State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier was third with 17.5 percent of the vote, while state Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan was fourth with 12 percent. About 100,000 votes were cast, with a majority of the coming from Contra Costa County, the largest in the district.

Under California special election law, the top vote-getters from each party advance to the general election Nov. 3.

Garamendi was the favorite going into Tuesday’s voting and will be the favorite in the general election, but the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has shown some faith in Harmer by naming him to the Young Guns program for congressional challengers.

The results in the race were delayed by two hours so that those battling the wildfires could cast ballots.

This post was updated at 7:45 a.m.

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