Long-time Republican Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack held an early lead against Democratic challenger Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet in the 45th District.
According to mail-in ballot counts, Bono Mack had 53 percent while Pougnet had 40 percent. Bono Mack is a six-term Congresswoman who was originally elected to fill the seat held by her late husband, Sonny Bono.
State Assemblymen Manuel Perez and Brian Nestande from Coachella Valley looked likely to hold on to their seats. With absentee votes counted, Perez led his Republican opponent with 54.7 percent of the vote and Nestande led his Democratic rival with 61.6 percent of the vote.
Four of five San Jacinto City Council members were ousted by voters in a recall election after members were charged in a money-laundering scandal. Mayor Dale Stubblefield and council members James Ayers, John Mansperger and James Potts were voted out of office.
Polls in Riverside County stayed open half an hour late until 8:30 p.m. because of the long lines of voters still waiting to cast their votes at the Riverside County Registrar Office.
City News Service contributed to this story
