Final results for Left Unity candidates in 2024 primary

The seven members of the Left Unity Slate, candidates for Congress and Assembly from the Peace & Freedom Party and the Green Party, now know their final vote totals from the March primary election.  One of our candidates came close to making the November runoff, but when the counting was finalized, all were – as is almost always the case – out of the "top two" and off the November ballot. 

These results again show why the “top two” system for primary elections was developed: to reduce voter choice in November by leaving only two big-money candidates in the runoff.

One thing that is clear to see from the results is that voter eligibility and turnout vary sharply between districts.  Congressional districts have roughly equal population, but William Patterson in the 28^th District got 3,503 votes which represented 2.2% of the vote, while Aaron Reveles in the neighboring 34^th District got 3,223 votes, but this represented 4% of the vote in that district.  (Both districts are in Los Angeles County.)

Another district that neighbors the 34^th in Los Angeles County is the 37^th District, where John Thompson Parker got 7,316 votes, or 8.4% -- this result landed Parker not far behind the second-place candidate, independent Juan Rey, who received 10.3% of the vote and so made the November ballot. Sean Dougherty in the 19^th District in Monterey, Santa Clara, and San Luis Obispo got 13,080 votes, nearly twice Parker’s total, but this represented only 6.4% of the vote.  The main factors in the difference are the age and citizenship of the population in the districts.  Those who are not US citizens are unable to vote, and a younger population in a district also means fewer people can vote.

The final results for the Left Unity candidates were as follows:

• Congress 19^thDistrict: Sean Dougherty, Green Party.  13,080 votes, 6.4%.
• Congress 28^thDistrict: William Patterson, Peace and Freedom.  3,503 votes, 2.2%.
• Congress 34^thDistrict: Aaron Reveles, PFP.  3,223 votes, 4.0%.
• Congress 37^thDistrict: John Thompson Parker, PFP.  7,316 votes, 8.4%.
• Assembly 6^thDistrict: Kevin Olmar Martinez, PFP.  1,861 votes, 1.8%.
• Assembly 52^ndDistrict: Shannel Pittman, Green. 1160 votes, 1.5%.
• Assembly 71^stDistrict: Babar Khan, PFP. 2,912 votes, 2.6%.

By mid-2025, work will be well underway on putting together a Left Unity Slate for the 2026 elections in California.