California added to Kerry win column

LOS ANGELES, March 2 (UPI) -- John Edwards' early exit from the California primary dropped the Golden State into the win column for John Kerry Tuesday.

Early voting returns showed Kerry with a wide margin over Edwards, who was reported to have decided to end his presidential campaign, effectively turning the Democratic nomination over to Kerry.

News of Edwards' wthdrawal came as the evening rush hour began in California; however polls had predicted a Kerry victory.

Early returns showed a $15 billion deficit-reduction bond measure and a companion balanced-budget resolution heading toward passage.

Also, former California Secretary of State Bill Jones was leading in the Republican primary for Democrat Baraba Boxer's Senate seat.