Simon leads Davis in early returns
Simon has a slim lead now (read the second sentence):
Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and Republican challenger Bill Simon were in a virtual tie with 26.8 percent of precincts reporting. Simon led Davis by 6,000 votes out of 1.8 million cast.
Now supposing this continues, will the Chron will say Simon won a virtual victory?
UPDATE: With 31.4% counted, the lead has flipped back to Davis, with a margin of 18,000 votes. See the slow-loading Secretary of State’s web page.
McClintock has a nice, 6-point lead. He’s the one Republican endorsed by the Chronicle, and he’s clearly a better candidate than the dabbler Democrat running against him.
Olberg and Shelley are neck-and-neck for Secretary of State, and Dems lead all other state-wide races.
The momentum is shifting to the Dems at this point (10:45). Only 2% of LA county, 6% of Frisco, and 30% of Santa Clara are in, so Dems will rack up some major votes before it’s all done. A wipeout for Republicans in California, once again. Will the religious people say they’re happy they sent a message? Of course.
UPDATE: OK, it’s over and Davis killed. Only McClintock has a chance for the Reeps, and he’s hanging on by a thread.