Johnson Claims Victory in Senate Race : Politics: GOP assemblyman takes strong lead in balloting for Orange County 35th District

Veteran Republican Assemblyman Ross Johnson declared victory late Tuesday night after outpacing Democrat Madelene Arakelian in the race to represent Orange County’s 35th District in the state Senate.

Johnson, 55, an attorney and a member of the Assembly for more than 16 years, was leading by a 3-1 margin in the runoff election for the seat vacated by Marian Bergeson, who became a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

Johnson managed to deflect claims that he was a carpetbagger for moving from Placentia to Irvine to qualify for the election in the mostly coastal district. He credited his lengthy record as a party leader and fiscal conservative for winning over the voters.

“I think this is an incredible time to be in the California Legislature,” said Johnson at a campaign party in Newport Beach. “The problems are almost biblical. . . . But many are man-made: overtaxation, over-regulation, failing to provide people with basic safety. But we are turning that around with more Republicans.”

Arakelian, 61, who owns a trash-hauling business with her husband and has homes in Laguna Hills and on the Balboa Peninsula, acknowledged that she was a long shot. She campaigned without the endorsement of the county Democratic Party.

Johnson won a hotly contested primary in March over two established political figures in the 35th District, Assemblywoman Doris Allen (R-Cypress) and former Assemblyman Gil Ferguson of Newport Beach. The primary was nasty and expensive, and Johnson ultimately won with considerable backing from Republicans throughout the state.