7:45am | Nationwide, it was a poor night for Democrats. But locally, in heavily Democratic districts, they retained seats in Congress and statewide positions as well. Only one election in districts serving Long Beach elected a Republican.
United States House of Representatives, 37th District – Laura Richardson (D)
Democratic incumbent Laura Richardson has been elected to her second full term as Representative of California’s 37th District in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, winning 69.2% of the vote against challengers Republican Star Parker and Independent Nick Dibs.
At a party for Long Beach Democrats, Richardson thanked several of her supporters in the crowd, from an increased presence from the Samoan and Cambodian communities to President of the Long Beach Police Officers Association Steve James and even her opponent Nick Dibs. She had words for her other opponent, Republican Star Parker.
“This was the nastiest, most slanderous race in my eleven years I’ve ever participated in,” Richardson said. “I am grateful the voters weren’t foiled, they weren’t deceived. I’m encouraged that our voters get that.”
Richardson pledged to bring more jobs to her district, which has been hit harder than most during the Recession and Recovery.
United State House of Representatives, 46th District – Dana Rohrabacher (R)
Republican incumbent has been re-elected to the House of Representatives in California’s 46th District, receiving 62.0% of the vote over Democratic challenger Ken Arnold.
Rohrabacher, a former speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan, has served in the position since 2003. The district covers a vast area stretching from Costa Mesa in Orange County to Palos Verdes, including parts of Long Beach. Rohrabacher scored a rare victory for Republicans in the L.A. area, surely benefiting from a more conservative base in Orange County.
State Assembly, 28th District – Jenny Oropeza (D)
The late Jenny Oropeza has received the most votes for election to the State Assembly in the 28th District, just two weeks after her unexpected death. The incumbent Democrat was seeking her second four-year term in the position. She received 58.4% of the vote yesterday.
California law prohibits special elections to be called within 68 days of an election, so her name remained on the ballot along with challengers Republican John Stammreich and Libertarian David Ruskin. A special election will be called to fill the position at an undisclosed date.
State Assembly, 54th District – Bonnie Lowenthal (D)
Voters re-elected State Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal in the 54th District yesterday, with 56.6% of the vote. Early returns showed her opponent, Martha Flores Gibson, in the lead as mail-in ballots were counted, but Lowenthal regained and held onto the lead into the night.
“Voters are probably concerned with their representatives but everyone wants a change in the economy and I believe voters are saying they want we in the Assembly to be the ones to bring that change,” Lowenthal said at a party for Long Beach Democrats on Atlantic Avenue, as early returns rolled in. “I have a pretty clear record about bringing jobs to the District and surrounding area.”
State Assembly, 55th District – Warren Furutani (D)
Democrat Warren Furutani has been re-elected to the 55th District seat in the State Assembly with 71.0% of the vote over opponent Christopher Salabaj. Furutani has served in the seat since 2008.