Democrats Miss Election Sweep

California Democrats hoped an Internet millionaire’s slim margin would hold up to complete the party’s first sweep of statewide offices in more than a century.

Only state senator Tom McClintock, the Republican nominee for state controller, threatened to spoil the Democrats´ party, with his race against former eBay executive Steve Westly was too close to call this morning.

With 98-percent of precincts reporting, Westly leads McClintock 46 percent to 45 percent, with less than 65-thousand votes separating the two. Should Westly win, Democrats would win all eight statewide offices – their first such sweep since 1882. Republicans last won all statewide offices in 1946.

So far, well-funded Democratic incumbents won their races for attorney general, treasurer and lieutenant governor. Democrats also were elected as insurance commissioner, secretary of state and superintendent of public instruction.

Still, there were no landslides – most Democrats won by less than 10 percentage points.