Republican incumbent Dana Rohrabacher has maintained his seat in California’s 46th Congressional District by defeating Democratic challenger Debbie Cook. Rohrabacher has served nine terms in the seat, and now enters his tenth after a tense battle with Cook. The 46th District runs along the Pacific coast from Costa Mesa to Palos Verdes, counting parts of Long Beach as well as both the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Rohrabacher captured 52.3% of the vote to Cook’s 43.5%.
The tight race saw unknown Cook rise from obscurity to challenge Rohrabacher, who even recently admitted the possibility of losing – though explained the risk was mostly due to Obama coattail voters if the Presidential candidate held a big lead. Rohrabacher ran stressing issues such as homeland security, energy and the economy. Cook, the mayor of Huntington Beach, counted endorsements from State Senator Alan Lowenthal as well as three Long Beach City Councilmembers.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor