Fresno City Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria opened a sizable lead among the the field vying to replace Asm. Adam Gray (D–Merced), who opted to run for Congress.
Soria, who walked away with 42 percent of the vote, will advance to the November election to face former Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin, a Republican.
The pair earned 42 percent and 33.2 percent of the vote, respectively.
Firebaugh businesswoman Amanda Fleming, a Republican, placed third with 15.1 percent of the vote.
That left Soria’s colleague on the Fresno City Council Mike Karbassi in last place as he finished with 9.6 percent support from the voters.
