U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein cruised to first place in California's primary on Tuesday in her bid for a fifth full term in Washington.
In a video statement delivered from Washington, Feinstein pledged to "protect California" in "difficult and contentious times."
With about 2.2 million votes counted, Feinstein had 44 percent. Fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon, the heavy favorite to finish second and advance to the November runoff, was next with 10 percent and had a slight lead over little-known Republican James Bradley.
California sends the two highest vote-getters to the general election regardless of party. Feinstein heads to November with more than $7 million in the bank.
A Feinstein-de Leon general election would be California's second U.S. Senate contest featuring two Democrats. In 2016, then-state attorney general Kamala Harris defeated U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez.
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