Two women lead the way in the special election for a seat on the California State Assembly.
Mia Bonta and Janani Ramachandran are the top candidates vying to succeed Attorney General Rob Bonta in East Bay Assembly District 18 after results were tallied on June 29.
According to the Alameda Registrar of Voters, the final results of the Special Primary Election are currently unofficial, but will be certified on July 8.
Mia Bonta is the president of the Alameda Unified School District board and CEO of the nonprofit 'Oakland Promise' - a "cradle-to-college and career preparation initiative across Oakland public schools."
Bonta received 38% of early votes on Tuesday, reported by the registrar, pushing her to the lead in the race to inherit her husband’s seat.
Janani Ramachandran, a social justice attorney, followed closely with 22% of the early votes, while Malia Vella, vice mayor of the Alameda City Council, tallied 17%.
Bonta and Ramachandran are among eight candidates contesting to represent the 18th district, which includes San Leandro, Alameda, and a majority of Oakland.
The top three candidates are all women of color.
With no contender attaining 50% of the vote, a run-off election is expected to be held on Aug. 31.
"While we did not reach the 50% threshold tonight, momentum is on our side," Bonta said via Twitter. "I know are ready to continue reaching out to earn every single vote to win in August."
"Young progressives are showing up and showing out to make a difference and challenge status quo politics," Ramachandran said on Wednesday. "I love to see it."
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