LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Republican Robert Howell's lead over Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine dropped by 18 votes to 4,921 Wednesday in the race for the second spot on the November ballot for insurance commissioner.

Howell moved back into second place Tuesday, overcoming a 123-vote deficit at the start of the day.

An estimated 118,134 ballots remain unprocessed from the June 7 primary, including 68,500 from San Diego County, according to the Secretary of State's Office.

Howell was 31,232 votes ahead of Levine when semiofficial results were released June 8. Levine, D-San Rafael, moved into second on June 20, taking a 4,481-vote lead over Howell. He increased his lead to 9,919 votes at the conclusion of the June 21 count and 13,565 at the conclusion of last Wednesday's.

Howell, a cybersecurity equipment manufacturer, cut the deficit to 12,224 votes at the conclusion of Thursday's count and 480 at the conclusion of Friday's.

Howell has 1,207,513 votes (18.1%) to 1,202,592 for Levine (18.0%), according to figures released by the Secretary of State's Office. Incumbent Democrat Ricardo Lara leads with 2,402,270 votes (35.9%).

The nine candidates — four Democrats, two Republicans, one candidate each from the Green and Peace and Freedom parties and one no party preference candidate — have received 6,684,136 votes.

County elections officials must report final official results to the Secretary of State by July 8. Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber will certify the results on July 15.