November matchup still unclear in race to succeed Rep. Gary Miller

Republican military veteran Paul Chabot was the top vote-getter in Tuesday’s primary for an open Inland Empire congressional seat, but it was still unclear Wednesday morning who won the other spot on the fall ballot.

Unofficial election-night returns showed Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar, a Democrat, in second place but the race was too close to call and will not be decided until the remaining ballots are counted over the next days or weeks, according to the secretary of State’s office.

Only the first-and second-place finishers in Tuesday’s primary can advance to the November general election. Rep. Gary Miller (R-Rancho Cucamonga) did not seek reelection this year.

The heated seven-way contest the 31st Congressional District featured three Republicans and four Democrats battling for the two spots on the November ballot.

Two years ago, Miller and another Republican advanced to the general election after the four Democrats on the primary ballot splintered their party’s votes.

Democratic leaders had tried unsuccessfully to whittle down the number of their party’s candidates this time to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2012.

The Inland Empire district, which has grown increasingly Democratic in recent years in both registration and voting patterns, is expected to be a battleground between the two major parties this fall.