Brad Sherman leads Howard Berman in Democrat vs. Democrat race

Brad Sherman holds a significant, but early, lead over fellow Democrat Howard Berman in what has been a bruising internecine battle for the 30th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

With only a few precincts and absentee ballots counted Tuesday evening, Sherman has 21,405 votes to Berman’s 15,163, according to the California Secretary of State. The two finished first and second, respectively, in under California’s new open primary system, setting up the general election showdown.

The fierce campaign between for the San Fernando Valley congressional seat recently surpassed the $13-million mark for spending, making it among the costliest House races in the country, according to new campaign finance reports. The winner will represent a portion of western Burbank.

The candidates have spent a combined $10.3 million through Oct. 17. Outside groups have poured an additional $3 million into the race between colleagues turned bitter rivals.

-- Dan Evans, Times Community News
email: dan.evans@latimes.com
Twitter: @EditorDanEvans