With only two candidates in the race, it's guaranteed Democratic California Assemblyman Brian Maienschein will face Republican challenger June Cutter in November.
Vote totals after Tuesday's primary show Maienschein with almost 55% of the vote. Cutter hopes to give voters in the 77th Assembly District their chance to either back or reject Maienschein’s party switch against him.
Maienschein left the Republican Party early last year, saying at the time that he felt the Democratic Party better reflected his values.
Republican rival Cutter says Maienschein’s failure to oppose a bill that raised the bar on when police can use force is one reason she got into the race.
Election rules dictate that the two top vote-getters move onto the November general election which means Cutter will get another chance to try to defeat Maienschein.
Democrats narrowly outnumber Republicans in the 77th Assembly District. As of October, there were 98,751 Democrats compared to 89,084 Republicans.
The 77th Assembly District, which includes Rancho Santa Fe, Fairbanks Ranch, Poway and some areas in San Diego.
