Democrat Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. congressman chosen by Gov. Jerry Brown to serve as California's foil to the Trump administration, prevailed Tuesday in the race for state attorney general.

With 92 percent of the state's precincts reporting, Becerra had secured 61 percent of the vote in defeating Republican Steven Bailey, a retired El Dorado County Superior Court judge.

In a statement, Becerra said he was “honored and elated” by the results. “I intend to continue to fight for and defend our 40 million fellow Californians, our values and our resources,” Becerra said. “We are the economic engine of America, creating more jobs and graduating more talented students from college than any other state in the nation. That's worth fighting for—and winning.”

Brown in 2016 appointed Becerra, a 12-term congressman from Los Angeles, to fill the vacancy created by Kamala Harris' election to the U.S. Senate. Becerra will now serve a full four-year term as the state's top prosecutor.

Over the last two years, California has filed more than 40 legal challenges to federal government actions on issues ranging from net neutrality to car emissions rules. Becerra has defended his frequent trips to court and the associated costs by noting that state attorneys have prevailed in 22 actions to date.

Becerra commanded a huge fundraising advantage, taking in more than $7.3 million in campaign donations since January 2017. Bailey raised $538,000 over the same time period.

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