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After the November primary thinned the Republican contenders from three to one, Democratic Mayor Ken Cooley of Rancho Cordova and Republican Assemblyman Ted Gaines of Roseville will face each other Jan. 4 in the final vote to fill the seat vacated by the late Sen. Dave Cox.

Gaines led the pack in the primary in spite of the split Republican vote, but only led Cooley by 5,000 votes. Republicans Barbara Alby and Roger Niello had 140,000 votes between them that are now up for grabs.

Cooley said he doesn’t expect the votes to simply go to Gaines as the remaining Republican – while Niello endorsed Gaines after his primary loss, Cooley isn’t convinced Niello’s supporters will follow his lead.

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