It’s been about a month since the mid-term election, and with 99% of the votes counted, the majority of the California races are set.

Incumbents won the majority of the major political offices, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Alex Padilla, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.  

To begin, former California Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, who was serving a temporary seat in the U.S. Senate, received 61.1% of votes in his race for the Senate against Republican opponent, Mark Mesuser.

Prior to the election, Weber was originally sworn into office on Jan. 29, 2021 by Newsom, becoming the first black Secretary of State of California ever. She filled the spot of California Secretary of State after Padilla was appointed to the U.S. Senate, and this election solidified her position with 60.1% of votes in favor of her.

Also maintaining his position was Attorney General Rob Bonta, an incumbent who was sworn in as Attorney General on Apr. 23, 2021. This year, Bonta received 59.1% of the votes.

With 59.7% of votes in her favor, incumbent Kounalakis will continue as Lt. Governor of California after her previous journey in government. Kounalakis served as President Barack Obama’s Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary before she was appointed into her Lieutenant Governor position on Jan. 7, 2019 by Newsom. 

For the Governor race, Newsom received 59.2% of the votes to maintain his position as Governor of California. In 2021, Newsom faced a recall election after there were enough signatures to demand a recall. Newsom emerged successfully, defeating the recall with 61.9% of the vote favoring him to remain in office.

For a few RCHS students, this election offered the opportunity to vote for their very first time. Senior Kelsey Cooke described the voting process as a fun experience. 

“It reminded me of the old testing we did in elementary when we would fill in the bubbles and you get a little mint when you were done except now it’s a sticker announcing that I voted!” Cooke said.

Cooke also said that she wanted to vote because she grew up in a household where it was important to express opinions and stand up for what one believes in. 

“I will definitely be voting in the future, even if I’m only making a small impact, it is still more than nothing at all,” said Cooke.