Election results: Padilla leads Galicia in primary race for Senate District 18, both poised to advance to general

Two candidates — Democrat Steve Padilla and Republican Alejandro Galicia — are on the primary ballot to represent Senate District 18 in the California Legislature, meaning both are poised to advance to the November general election. 

With all 64 precincts reporting, Padilla has gained 61% of the vote in the primary, while Galicia trails with 39% of the vote, according to preliminary results posted by the California Secretary of State's office.

Election night vote counting is complete but results are not final, according to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters. Approximately 150,000 vote-by-mail and 2,000 provisional ballots still must be processed. The Secretary of State must certify results by July 15.

The Coachella Valley was previously in a single Senate district, but that changed following California's redistricting process in 2021. This year, residents of Indio, Coachella and most of eastern Riverside County will vote in Senate District 18, which also encompasses southern San Diego County, all of Imperial County and eastern San Bernardino County.

Voters in the newly formed Senate District 19, which includes Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells, will not decide their state senator until 2024.

Along with his endorsement from the California Democratic Party, Padilla, a Chula Vista city councilmember, also has the backing of Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella, and Rep. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, as well as groups such as Equality California and the California Latino Legislative Caucus.

California primary: How to register to vote and cast your ballot in the Coachella Valley

Galicia, a CEO and veteran's advocate who has the support of the California Republican Party, has not gained many other major endorsements. He has listed his top three priorities as addressing soaring fuel prices, finding solutions to make housing more affordable for young families and funding law enforcement agencies.

Padilla has ran his campaign with a major cash advantage, raising roughly $143,000 in campaign contributions so far this year. Galicia has not reported receiving any contributions with the California Secretary of State's office.

The top two finishers in the primary election — regardless of party — advance to the state's general election Nov. 8, meaning Padilla and Galicia are likely headed to a final face-off later this year.

This is a developing story and will be updated. 

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Election results: Padilla leads Galicia in Senate District 18 race