Kristie Bruce-Lane, a Republican businesswoman and nonprofit leader, declared victory Thursday over her Republican opponent in the primary election for California Senate District 40. She appears set to face former San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott, a Democrat, in the November general election.
Read more Cleesattle still leads for one judge seat; November battle possible for second seat
While the county has not yet reported final election results, Elliott was leading the race as of Friday, while Bruce-Lane appeared to hold an insurmountable lead over San Marcos City Councilmember Ed Musgrove, the other Republican in the race. It was not immediately known Friday whether Musgrove had conceded; he did not respond to messages seeking comment.
With one Democrat and two Republicans, the primary acted as a knockout round between Bruce-Lane and Musgrove. Elliott garnered the most votes in the primary so far with nearly 47%, while Bruce-Lane received about 29%. Musgrove trailed behind at just under 25%.
“I’m grateful voters saw through the attacks from Sacramento and stood with me as their fighter to reduce their cost of living, reduce wasteful spending, and protect their jobs,” Bruce-Lane said in a statement declaring her victory Thursday night after additional voting totals were released and her lead over Musgrove remained mostly unchanged. “I appreciate their support and look forward to winning the election in November.”
Elliott said she was proud to have earned a place in the general election and that she would work to ease the “affordability crisis” that state residents face.
“At a time when so many people are struggling, experience matters,” Elliott said in a statement. “I bring a proven record of delivering results for San Diego County, standing up for consumers, protecting taxpayers, and fighting for policies that help families thrive. I understand deeply the challenges our communities face because I have spent my career working to solve them.”
Elliott and Bruce-Lane will face off to replace Brian Jones, a Republican who has reached his term limits, in a district that covers much of East County, inland North County and several northern San Diego neighborhoods.
Elliott, 57, lives in San Diego’s Scripps Ranch neighborhood. She was elected as San Diego’s city attorney in 2016 and reelected in a landslide in 2020. She left office in 2024 due to term limits. This is her first time seeking a seat in the state Legislature.
Bruce-Lane, 53, lives in San Diego’s 4S Ranch neighborhood. She was previously elected to the board of directors for the Olivenhain Municipal Water District. She has twice run unsuccessfully for state Assembly. Both times, in 2022 and 2024, she made it out of the primary but lost in the general election.
Bruce-Lane is a close ally of Carl DeMaio, a state Assembly member and longtime San Diego political activist, and his Reform California group. Musgrove had been endorsed by Jones, whose Senate seat he was seeking, and U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa.
District 40 was the only state Senate race in San Diego County to feature more than two candidates. In three other races, the same candidates will face off in November.
In the District 18 Senate race, incumbent Sen. Steve Padilla, a Democrat, garnered more than 63% of the vote as of Friday in an apparent victory over Republican challenger Art Hodges.
In District 38, Sen. Catherine Blakespear, a Democrat, had won a majority over Republican challenger Laura Bassett in District 38, which also covers part of Orange County.
Incumbent Sen. Kelly Seyarto, a Republican, garnered nearly 60% of the vote in an apparent victory over Democratic challenger Tiffanie Tate in District 32, which covers a small portion of rural San Diego County, plus parts of three counties in the Inland Empire.
Only two of the seven San Diego-area primaries for state Assembly featured more than two candidates.
In Assembly District 78, incumbent Democrat Chris Ward garnered nearly 67% of the votes. It appears he’ll contend the general election against Republican challenger Payton Galvez. Libertarian Antonio Salguero was a distant third Friday.
In Assembly District 80, incumbent Democrat David Alvarez secured about 58% of the votes and appears set to square off in the general against Republican challenger Alejandro Galicia. Democrat Zenith Khan was a distant third as of Friday.
The other five Assembly primaries featured just two candidates who will again face each other in the general election.
In District 74, which is split between San Diego and Orange counties, incumbent Republican Assembly Member Laurie Davies received a majority of the votes over Democratic challenger Sergio Farias.
In District 75, incumbent Republican DeMaio secured nearly 61% of the vote against Democratic challenger Gerald Boursiquot.
In District 76, incumbent Democrat Darshana Patel had received more than 53% of the vote as of Friday against Republican challenger Carrie Espinoza Villanueva.
In District 77, incumbent Democrat Tasha Boerner was at nearly 60% of the vote as of Friday over Republican challenger Trinity Hannaway.
In District 79, incumbent Democrat LaShae Sharp-Collins was at about 62% as of Friday over Republican Andrew Lawson.
Read more FBI analysts tied to disputed ‘Catholic ideology’ memo told they’re being fired, AP sources say
Read more US attorney opens investigations into California’s elections, sends prosecutor to LA vote center
