Wildman Up Only 81 Votes in Assembly Race

Democrat Scott Wildman’s already slim lead in the 43rd Assembly District race dwindled to a scant 81 votes Friday.

According to an update from the county registrar-recorder, Republican John Geranios picked up 87 votes on Wildman since Monday, when 168 votes separated the two would-be legislators.

As it stands now, Wildman has 48,700 votes (48.30%), and Geranios is nipping at his heels with 48,619 votes (48.22%).

“I’m encouraged, albeit guardedly,” Geranios said Friday. “Every time we get a new wave of votes in, I keep getting closer.”

The results are not final.

There are 35,000 votes left to be processed in the county, said registrar-recorder spokeswoman Grace Romero. All but 1,000 of the uncounted votes are provisional ballots cast by voters whose registration must be verified.

The balance of the untallied votes are absentee ballots.

There is no way to know how many, if any, of the uncounted votes come from the Glendale-Burbank based district, which is now represented by Rep.-elect James Rogan.

On election night, Wildman appeared to have scored an upset win over businessman Geranios in a district held by Republicans for decades. But since then, it’s been all downhill for the teachers union official.

After the first count of absentee votes a week ago, Wildman’s lead dipped to 378 votes. On Monday the gap narrowed to 168 votes, a margin that grew yet more slim Friday.

Wildman could not be reached for comment.

Another update is expected Tuesday. The registrar has until Nov. 26 to certify the election results.