The Abridged version:
- Rep. Kevin Kiley is still in the lead in the 6th Congressional District representing parts of Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties.
- A packed field of Democrats is in the mix, including former state Sen. Richard Pan, who sits in second after Friday’s update.
- The lone Republican in the race was third after voting results were updated Friday.
Rep. Kevin Kiley has maintained his lead in the crowded race to represent a newly-drawn congressional district covering parts of Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties.
In fresh results released Friday afternoon, Kiley had earned 25.4% of the vote in the 6th District. A former Republican, Kiley switched his party affiliation to independent ahead of this year’s election.
Former state Sen. Richard Pan moved up to second in the Friday update and has so far earned 22.8% of the votes counted. If he maintains that position, he would face Kiley in a runoff election for the seat in November.
Michael Stansfield, the lone Republican in the race, dropped from second to third after the latest update. He was followed by Democrats Lauren Babb Tomlinson, a Planned Parenthood executive, Sacramento District Attorney Thien Ho and West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero.
Stansfield’s strong showing in the early results released Tuesday caused concerns from some Democrats who saw an opportunity in the 6th District to win a key battleground district. If Stansfield moves back into second, no Democrat would qualify for the November runoff election.
Pan, who rose to political prominence by championing childhood vaccination legislation, is among the top contenders from his party. Pan collected several high-profile endorsements, particularly from influential statewide labor organizations.
Ryan Lillis is the Associate General Manager of News at PBS KVIE.