Bee: McClintock claims victory in race for Doolittle seat

State senator Tom McClintock has claimed victory in the Republican primary for the Roseville-area seat of retiring U.S. Rep. John Doolittle, according to the Sacramento Bee.

"It looks like we’re headed towards a monumental victory," McClintock said at an election night party, according to the paper.

McClintock’s apparent victory comes after a two-month campaign against fellow Republican Doug Ose that was widely seen as expensive and brutal.

An adviser to McClintock tells PolitickerCA.com that the speech was conciliatory in tone.

With nearly 49 percent of the vote in, McClintock has 53.6 percent. Republican rival Doug Ose, a former U.S. Congressman and wealthy land developer, trails with 38.3 percent.

The winner of the hotly contested primary is expected to face off against Democrat Charlie Brown, a retired Air Force officer, in November’s general election.