Ex- Illinois candidate Cox runs strong in Calif.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom secured the first of two slots in the November election to replace Jerry Brown as California’s governor while Republican businessman John Cox, who has previously sought office in Illinois, was running a strong second in Tuesday’s balloting.

Newsom, the former San Franciscomayor, was the first candidate to announce a bid for governor more than three years ago and was strongly favored for the top slot. He leaned heavily on his decision in 2004 to issue marriage licenses to same- sex couples in San Francisco.

With about 1.8 million votes counted, he had 34 percent to Cox’s 27 percent. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, was third with 11 percent and needed a strong showing on his home turf in California’s largest city to close the gap.

Because of California’s “jungle primary,” the top two vote- getters— regardless of party— advance to a runoff in November.

Cox ran for U. S. Senate in Illinois in 2002 and came in third in the Republican primary. He also in Illinois made failed bids for Congress in 2000 and Cook County recorder of deeds in 2004 and attempted a 2008 presidential bid.

Cox, now a businessman from San Diego, gained footing among California Republicans as the campaign progressed. He and Travis Allen both aligned with President Donald Trump — Allen repeatedly noted Cox voted for Libertarian Gary Johnson in the 2016 presidential election; Cox said he regrets the choice.