No surprises for Republicans

Republicans sailed back into office for another term, according to unofficial election returns this week.

Rep. John Campbell won his first regular election with 59% of the vote. Democratic challenger Steve Young followed with 38.1% and Libertarian Bruce Cohen was behind with 2.9%.

“It’s a considerably greater percentage than I expected, and I am honored by that and I will not let the voters down,” Campbell said after seeing early returns.

Newport Beach Assemblyman Chuck DeVore won a second term, taking 59.6% of the votes compared with Democrat Michael Glover’s 40.4%.

“I kept talking about a positive agenda for the future of California and didn’t worry so much about opponents’ attacks,” DeVore said. On election night, he hoped Republicans would buck the national trend and pick up some more seats in the state house. But at most the GOP may only pick up one seat in a close senate race.