Republican candidate jumps to early lead in California race to fill ex-Rep. Katie Hill’s seat
CAMARILLO, Calif. – Republican Mike Garcia jumped to a commanding lead over Democrat Christy Smith in a nationally watched particular election Tuesday to win workplace in a California congressional district each events see as their turf.
With 139,245 votes counted in an election carried out nearly completely by mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Garcia held 56% of the vote and Smith gained 44% of the vote.
The early returns characterize vote-by-mail ballots. Greater than 420,000 ballots have been mailed to voters within the district’s two counties and a few might nonetheless arrive later within the week so long as they’re postmarked Tuesday.
The winner fills a seat vacated in November when Democrat Katie Hill resigned amid allegations of inappropriate relationships with workers members. The time period expires in January.
Garcia, the previous Navy fighter pilot, and Assemblywoman Smith of Santa Clarita will face off once more on Nov. three for a full two-year time period. The 25th District runs from Santa Clarita to Simi Valley with about 70,000 registered voters in Ventura County and greater than 350,000 in Los Angeles County.
It’s a so-called swing district held by Republicans since 1993 till Hill claimed it for the Democrats in 2018. If Garcia wins, it could be the primary California congressional seat flipped from the Democrats to Republicans in 22 years.
Remember, get out and Vote for Mike Garcia in CA25. A really big deal for our Country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2020
The battle has attracted consideration from a number of the largest names in each events. President Donald Trump endorsed Garcia and criticized Smith in tweets, additionally characterizing the last-minute addition of an in-person polling place in Lancaster as an try by Democrats to rig the election.
Smith, in one among a number of tweets geared toward Trump, mentioned the extra polling place was supported by Lancaster’s mayor who’s a Republican, and was geared toward giving extra individuals an opportunity to vote in a group the place a majority of residents are African American and Latino.
She was endorsed by former President Barack Obama and the candidate Trump defeated in 2016, Hillary Clinton.
Southern Californians in the 25th congressional district:
Don’t forget to mail in your ballot today to choose @ChristyforCA25 as your new representative.
She’s a leader who will fight to help families get through this crisis. https://t.co/RpijIiWf2X
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 12, 2020
