Dave Jones wins Democratic race for insurance commissioner

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Assemblyman Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) trounced his Democratic rival, Assemblyman Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate) in the party’s race for insurance commissioner.

Jones held a 65% to 35% lead over De La Torre in early returns Tuesday night.

On the Republican side, Assemblyman Mike Villines (R-Clovis) faced an unexpectedly tough primary challenge from Brian Fitzgerald. Villines, a former Assembly Republican leader, relinquished his post after voting for tax increases as part of a 2009 state budget. With about 35% of the vote reporting statewide, Villines held a 52% to 48% lead over the little-known Fitzgerald.

-- Anthony York in Los Angeles