In California’s contentious congressional races, two Republican contenders have successfully moved forward to the general election, defying concerns that GOP candidates might be sidelined by the state’s top-two primary system.
Chuong Vo and Ritesh Tandon, both Republicans, have earned their places on the November ballot, where they will face off against incumbent Democrats in California’s 45th and 17th Congressional Districts.
In the 17th District, which encompasses Silicon Valley and leans heavily Democratic, incumbent Representative Ro Khanna emerged as the clear frontrunner in the primary race.
As approximately 82% of the votes have been tallied, Khanna secured 61,338 votes, translating to over 60% of the total vote count. Ritesh Tandon, in second place, claimed 15,539 votes, ensuring his spot in the upcoming general election.
The Cook Political Report classifies California’s 17th Congressional District as Solid Democratic. This district, covering areas within Santa Clara and Alameda counties, has not been represented by a Republican since Charles Pashayan held the seat in 1979, nearly half a century ago.
Meanwhile, in California’s 45th Congressional District, incumbent Democratic Rep. Derek Tran finished first with 71,454 votes, or 52.3%, while Republican challenger Chuong Vo secured second place with 21,408 votes, or 15.7%.
Before the primary, the Cook Political Report rated the 45th District as Lean Democratic, though the race remains one of the more competitive congressional contests in California.
The district, which Katie Porter flipped from Republican to Democratic in 2018, later swung back when Republican Michelle Steel won the seat in 2020. In the 2024 election,Tran defeated incumbent Steel, marking another shift in control.
Following the 2020 redistricting process, the district includes a large Asian American electorate and covers portions of Garden Grove, Westminster, Cerritos, Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Cypress, Placentia, Artesia, La Palma and northern Fullerton.
The advancement of both Republican candidates ensures that voters in each district will see a Democrat-versus-Republican matchup on the November 5 general election ballot.
California uses a top-two primary system, often referred to as a “jungle primary,” in which all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of party.tyere din wah where caodfate iwth top two votes regaless of party adacne to gvemrned election