Whitman Wins GOP Nomination for Calif. Governor

Meg Whitman, the billionaire former chief executive of eBay, easily won the race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, setting up a general election contest against former Gov. Jerry Brown.

Whitman took a large lead in the polls in the final weeks of the campaign after a negative ad war over which Republican was the most conservative.

"Whitman won't be shy about continuing to spend her personal fortune in her quest to replace Arnold Schwarzenegger in the governor's mansion," said CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

More Election Night Coverage:

Blanche Lincoln Narrowly Wins Arkansas Runoff
Nikki Haley Can't Avoid Runoff in South Carolina

The contest was the most expensive primary in California history, with Whitman spending more than $81 million and state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner spending $25 million.

Whitman, who has never before run for elective office, is the first woman to win the Republican nomination for governor in California.

Brown, governor from 1975-83, was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

More CBSNews.com Coverage of Tuesday's Primaries:

Winners: Blanche Lincoln | Nikki Haley | Meg Whitman | Carly Fiorina | Sharron Angle | Roundup
Anthony Salvanto: What's Next for the Big Primary Winners?
Jeff Greenfield: California Vote to Alter Primaries Could Have Huge Impact
Bob Schieffer: Money and Melodrama Shape Primaries
Marc Ambinder: How Did Sen. Blanche Lincoln Pull Victory From the Jaws of Defeat?
Women Win Big on Primary Day
Interactive Map: CBS News Campaign 2010 Race Ratings

[yourallmorons]

She better be good. I do not like her much. We need someone in here like the Arizona Governer is. I like that woman.

[stn_sage]

If elected as governor, I'll be interested in seeing the size of the state debt at the end of her first year! Seeing how, she vastly OVERSPENT to win this primary, it doesn't say much for her money management skills!!

[Zann-Zel]

I remember how it seemed in the history books that all a man had to do was step up on a stump or a soap box and convince the crowd he was honest. Sad, that now you must first be a millionaire to even consider stepping up at all.

[notparicular]

Jerry Brown! Jerry Brown! Is he still alive? Man, he is a loony. Democrats got no chance. Meg, save your money; it is a cakewalk. Save your money to redecorate the Gov mansion.

[tiredofeverything]

Because a billionaire former chief executive can totally relate to the problems facing the every day Joe.
Amirite?