Calif. GOP avoids controversial candidate

California Republicans have seemingly avoided nominating a controversial candidate, as former Treasury official Neel Kashkari (R) has edged California state Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R).

{mosads}The Associated Press has yet to call the race for Kashari but Donnelly has conceded the race, according to the Los Angeles Times. Kashkari had 18 percent of the vote to Donnelly’s 15 percent with 59 percent of precincts counted.

Establishment Republicans including had been sounding the alarm bells about Donnelly, warning that the a firebrand candidate could drag down the rest of the GOP ticket if he won the nomination.

Kashkari starts off as the steep longshot against California Gov. Jerry Brown (D), who led the field with 55 percent of the vote.