By Paul Kruze

November 5, 2014 (Sacramento)--Tuesday night was not a happy one for Democrats. A red wave of Republican wins resulted in the party increased its hold on the House of Representatives and gained formidable control of U.S. Senate. But as a consolation prize, Democrats were able to keep California in the “blue state” column by keeping a firm hold on the state’s highest offices.

Early on in the vote counting, major news organizations projected that voters had granted Governor Jerry Brown a second consecutive four-year term  (the fourth in his political political career)  by a comfortable margin which did not change throughout the evening.  Incumbent Democrat Gavin Newsom was able to stave off a challenge by East County resident and former chairman of the California Republican Party, Ron Nehring.