Jim Shoemaker of Clements leads NcNerney, Villapudua in Senate race

Mar. 5—Democrats Jerry McNerney and Carlos Villapudua have grabbed the headlines and led the way in spending in the race for California's State Senate District 5 seat. However, it was Republican Jim Shoemaker of Clements in the lead when early results from the primary election were posted on Tuesday evening.

With over 60,000 ballots counted districtwide, Shoemaker leads with 41.4% (25,045) of the vote, followed by McNerney at 33.6% and Villapudua with 25%.

The top two vote-getters in federal and state races will move on to the November general election.

In other races, Democratic incumbent Josh Harder leads in the race to retain his U.S. Congress District 9 seat, tallying 55.4% (27,287) of votes cast. He is followed by three Republicans, with Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln in second (26.9%), John McBride in third (10.4%) and Khalid Jafri in fourth (7.3%).

Incumbent Republican Heath Flora is comfortably ahead in the California Assembly District 9 race, garnering 70.7% (20,869) of the early votes for a large lead over Tami Nobriga (29.3%) of Lodi.

In one of the more heated judicial races in recent years, Peter Devencenzi (53%, 23,322) leads Caitlin Casey (46.9%, 20,676) in the race for Superior Court Judge, Office 3.

In the San Joaquin County Board of Education Trustee Area 5 race, Jordan Giannoni (7,021, 60.26%) is ahead of Greg Clark (4,630, 39.74%).