Democrat Newsom leads in lieutenant governor race

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Democrat Gavin Newsom is leading a lesser-known Republican challenger in his bid for a second term as California’s lieutenant governor.

Voters favored Newsom with 54 percent of the vote in early returns late Tuesday.

Newsom and his challenger, former state Republican Party chairman Ron Nehring, both campaigned on the idea that the position of lieutenant governor can be used as a platform for change despite its low-profile nature.

In his first term, the 47-year-old Newsom drew attention to domestic violence in the NFL, gay marriage and California’s budget.

Nehring argued that Newsom could have done more to help the state economy.

He accused Newsom of avoiding a debate that could have brought more attention to the race.

Newsom previously served eight years as San Francisco mayor.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)