Democratic incumbent Jerry Brown wins California governor race

LOS ANGELES -- California Gov. Jerry Brown is returning to Sacramento for a record fourth term.

The Democratic incumbent decisively defeated Republican Neel Kashkari on Tuesday after a lopsided campaign in a state dominated by Democrats.

The 76-year-old Brown is already the state's longest-serving governor. He logged two terms in the office from 1975 to 1983 and made history again by winning the fourth term.

Brown argued during the campaign that he led a comeback by the state after the recession cost California more than a million jobs.

His victory came amid a tough political environment for Democrats nationally, with widespread voter discontent with President Barack Obama.

Brown, the nation's oldest sitting governor, would be 80 when his final term concludes.