Gavin Newsom Abel Maldonado Vote Results: Papers Call Race For Newsom, But Maldonado Not Conceding

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has won the California lieutenant governor's race, defeating the Republican incumbent Abel Maldonado, according to the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Nevertheless, in his victory speech, Newsom remained cautious.

"One thing I've learned is never assume anything, in politics and in life," he said.

With 69% of California precincts reporting, Newsom leads Maldonado, the incumbent, by 8 points.

Newsom had once derided the job of lieutenant governor as powerless and purely ceremonial, but later decided that maybe that wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Maldonado, a moderate Republican, was once seen as a rising star for the California GOP.