Early results from the race for California Assembly District 12 showed incumbent Damon Connolly was well on his way to a second term.

With just over 40% of the total potential votes counted, Connolly, a Democrat from San Rafael, was defeating his Republican opponent, Andy Podshadley, 75.9% to 24.1%.

Redrawn in 2021, now covering Marin and part of Sonoma County, District 12 has 304,330 registered voters, nearly 60% of whom are Democrats.

In addition to authoring eight bills over the past two years that were signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Connolly was a member of the Climate Action Task Force that shaped Proposition 4, the state’s $10 billion climate bond. which was approved in the first statements on Tuesday.

“Over the past two years, I have championed North Bay’s priorities, such as investing in wildfire prevention, facilitating access to solar energy and reducing exposure to harmful pesticides,” he said Tuesday night.

“I have also delivered millions of dollars to North Bay for affordable housing, community colleges, emergency services and much more. “I am working hard for this region and I am honored that so many District 12 voters agree that I have won another term.”

Podshadley, a Novato vintner, small business owner and youth sports coach with a passion for backpacking, stood little chance against the more experienced Connolly, a former California deputy attorney general, San Rafael City Council member and California County supervisor. Marin.

Connolly worked on sections of Proposition 4 that focused on “wildfire prevention and nature-based solutions,” he said.

He successfully advocated for $135 million to be included “for home strengthening efforts at the resident and community levels. So I think it will be really good.”

You can reach staff writer Austin Murphy at [email protected] or on Twitter @ausmurph88.