Democrat Josh Newman has defeated Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar) to win the race for the 29th Senate District, giving Democrats in the Legislature a two-thirds majority in both houses.
The Associated Press called the race Monday evening for Newman, who had been steadily gaining ground as provisional and absentee ballots were counted over the last three weeks.
As of Monday afternoon, Newman’s lead over Chang had grown to more than 2,100 votes.
“I am immensely honored to have earned the trust and support of so many of my neighbors, who’ve placed their faith and trust in me as their next state senator,” Newman said in a statement, crediting his supporters with helping counter what he called the “obscene levels of spending” in the race.
Democrats had already secured a supermajority in the state Assembly with the defeat of Republican legislators Young Kim (R-Fullerton), Eric Linder (R-Corona) and David Hadley (R-Manhattan Beach).
With a supermajority, a political party can raise taxes, place measures on the statewide ballot, enact laws immediately with an “urgency” clause and override a governor’s veto.
In a statement, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon congratulated Newman on his “clear and impressive victory.”
“He will bring bold ideas, independent thinking and boundless energy to our Caucus and our State Capitol,” De Leon said. “I look forward to welcoming him to our enthusiastic and expanding Senate Democratic majority and working with him to continue California’s unprecedented progress.”
Newman will be sworn in Dec. 5.