Democrat Leticia Perez concedes Central Valley Senate race
In a rare bit of good news for the California GOP, Democratic Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez has conceded defeat in her race against Hanford Republican farmer Andy Vidak -- a hard-fought special election campaign where spending topped $5 million.
“This campaign is over. Andy has earned the right to represent us in Sacramento,” Perez said in a statement Wednesday. ”I look forward to him delivering on his promises to create jobs, improve our economy and deliver fresh, reliable water to our farms and families.”
Perez would have to win more than 80% of the remaining provisional and absentee ballots in order to overcome Vidak’s 5,800 vote advantage.
Even with Vidak’s victory, Democrats will still hold a two-thirds supermajority in the state Senate, but just barely. The Republican pickup in a seat once held by Democrat Michael Rubio will make it more difficult for Democrats to retain that edge through the next election cycle.
Rubio resigned abruptly earlier this year and took a job as a government affairs manager with Chevron Corp.
ALSO:
Republican Andy Vidak leading in Central Valley state Senate vote
Two legislative seats up for grabs in special elections Tuesday
Final vote tally requires runoff election in 16th Senate District
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