California Gov. Jerry Brown wins record 4th term

California Gov. Jerry Brown claimed a place in the history books Tuesday by decisively winning a record fourth term after a lopsided campaign in the state dominated by Democrats.

Brown dominated the race against Republican Neel Kashkari amid a tough national political environment for Democrats that stemmed from widespread voter discontent with President Barack Obama.

Brown told reporters he’s “not under any illusions that this is some kind of picnic.” He cited the record drought and need to keep the state checkbook balanced.

The 76-year-old Brown is already the state’s longest-serving governor. He logged two terms in the office from 1975 to 1983.

Brown won re-election after a muted and sometimes invisible gubernatorial campaign in which he never appeared to be threatened by Kashkari, a Republican making his first run for elected office.