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Brownley-Gorell congressional race too close to call

Former President Bill Clinton campaigned for Democratic congressional candidates at a rally on Oct. 29, 2014 at Oxnard College. From left are Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar, Rep. Raul Ruiz of Palm Desert, Clinton and Rep. Julia Brownley of Westlake Village.

Former President Bill Clinton campaigned for Democratic congressional candidates at a rally on Oct. 29, 2014 at Oxnard College. From left are Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar, Rep. Raul Ruiz of Palm Desert, Clinton and Rep. Julia Brownley of Westlake Village.

(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
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Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) and Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) are running neck-and-neck in Ventura County.

National Democrats fought hard to try to keep the post they won two years ago, when Brownley beat a seasoned Republican after the retirement of Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) in what was then a newly redrawn district.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, House Majority PAC and other interest groups put some $3 million into campaigns supporting Brownley or opposing Gorell, a military veteran.

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Generally viewed as a political moderate, Gorell was portrayed by Brownley supporters as too extreme for the 26th Congressional District.

Gorell also was outspent by Brownley, by $2.3 million to about $1 million, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission last month.

But the race was considered a tossup by most analysts, and former President Bill Clinton came to the district last week to headline a get-out-the-vote rally for Brownley and some other Democrats in tight congressional races.

Follow @jeanmerl for the latest in Southern California politics news.

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