LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has easily won her primary election race, advancing to the November ballot. She will face GOP-endorsed autism activist Elizabeth Emken.

The 78-year-old senator from California is seeking re-election to a fifth term. She was first elected in 1992.

With about a third of precincts reporting, Feinstein had nearly 50 percent of the vote Tuesday on a crowded ballot that featured 24 candidates, including 14 Republicans.

Emken, a political neophyte, won about 12 percent of the vote, easily besting fellow Republican Dan Hughes, who had about 6 percent.