Emmerson holds comfortable lead in Riverside Senate race

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Assemblyman Bill Emmerson (R-Redlands) holds a comfortable lead against former Republican Assemblyman Russ Bogh in the race to fill the Riverside County Senate seat vacated by John Benoit.

With more than 54% of precincts reporting, Emmerson was ahead with 40.9% of the vote, and Bogh had 21.9%.

If his lead holds, Emmerson will be the strong favorite in a June 8 runoff with Democrat Justin Blake, who had 13.8% of the overall vote Tuesday. American Independent candidate Matt Monica will also be on the June ballot.

Under state special election rules, the top vote-getter from each political party advances to a runoff if no candidate receives 50% of the vote on the first ballot.

The seat was vacated last year when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Benoit to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

-- Anthony York