KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Congressman Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, has declared victory over Assemblywoman Christy Smith, D-Santa Clarita, in the tight race for the seat in California’s 25th Congressional District (CA-25) Friday, with Garcia remaining ahead by exactly 400 votes.
For live election updates, click here.
UPDATE (6:15 p.m.): Garcia took to social media Friday evening to declare victory in the tight CA-25 race.
My statement on election results: pic.twitter.com/qehimJtler
— Mike Garcia (@ElectMikeGarcia) November 21, 2020
“After a long, tough fight, I am proud to earn the privilege of serving CA-25 for another 2 years,” Garica said in a statement Friday. “With only a few remaining ballots to be counted, victory is clear.”
Garcia took a moment to commend Smith, who he says ran an “excellent and aggressive campaign.”
“Running in these elections is difficult, and she did it with grace,” he said. “I extend this compliment to all 18 opponents I faced in the last 12 months who also were compelled to serve with hopes to represent this beautiful district.”
Later Friday night, Smith released a statement in response, calling Garcia’s declaration “dangerous to our democratic process.
“The Congressman’s decision is wholly inappropriate, and disrespectful of those who have taken the time to vote this year,” she said. “Our county officials and Secretary of State Alex Padilla have done a phenomenal job of protecting every voter’s right to be heard in the most challenging election of our lifetime. We owe them and especially our voters our continued patience as the process is completed.”
Patience is a virtue.
— Christy Smith (@ChristySmithCA) November 21, 2020
As of Friday, Garcia led by exactly 400 votes.
“I am honored by the supporters who voted for me and humbled by those who did not,” Garcia concluded. “In the end, I will work hard for each and every one of you. And for our Nation.”
Original Story: As of 3:51 p.m. Friday, Smith had narrowed Garcia’s 422-vote lead down to exactly 400 votes after a total of 2,032 votes from Los Angeles County were counted.
Garcia had previously regained his lead a week before, overcoming a nearly 1,300-vote deficit from the day before to establish a 159-vote lead. He later expanded that lead by only 60 more votes on Thursday.
When the first vote counts were reported at around 8:20 p.m. on Nov. 3, Smith held a larger lead over Garcia, as the first round of reporting came from Democratic-leaning vote-by-mail ballots.
However, as the voting center ballots have slowly continued to be reported, Garcia gradually closed that gap.
Then, at around 7 p.m. on Nov. 5, state officials reported that Garcia took the lead over Smith, leading by 265 votes at the time.
He expanded that lead during the Nov. 6 update to 432. However, Smith earned 1,719 more votes than Garcia in the Nov. 9 update, which placed her back in the lead by 1,287 votes.
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Then, Garcia regained his lead the next day, as the Nov. 10 update had him ahead of Smith by 159 votes. He later expanded that lead to 219 after 454 more votes were counted from Ventura County on Thursday.
Smith began to close that gap on Friday, when a 2,479-vote dump from Los Angeles County placed the two candidates at only 104 votes apart.
However, the 2,241 votes counted from Los Angeles County and the 241 votes counted in Ventura County in Tuesday’s update more than tripled the size of that gap.
The results as of Friday afternoon can be viewed below:
| MIKE GARCIA (R) – Incumbent | 169,060 | 50.06% |
| CHRISTY SMITH (D) | 168,660 | 49.94% |
County officials across the state of California have until the beginning of December to report their final results to the state for the presidential race, while they have until Dec. 4 to report the results for all other races. The state then has one week from that deadline to certify the results of the 2020 election.
Neither campaign has officially declared victory or conceded as of Friday afternoon.
The next updated count from Los Angeles County is scheduled to be released Tuesday afternoon, while Los Angeles County is scheduled to certify their results on Nov. 30.
For live election updates, click here.
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What in the world is going on here ? Elections were 2 weeks and 3 days ago and we can’t get a winner? I thought our presidential election was stupid with the changing of winner per states that mattered. This is simple: anything received after the deadline of 8:00 and Nov 3 simply is not countable. What is holding the winner status up?
California counts ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 until Nov 17. Still it must have went like this. 1 Mississippi 2 Mississippi 3 Mississippi…
STOP THE COUNT!!! Must have been all the dead people and fraudulent votes! We need Rudy to file for a hand recount and make sure we have party members watching! Never concede! Let’s rally protesters, bring guns and flags and belittle democracy! Ohh wait he’s Republican? Nevermind then. Congratulations Mike!!
Poor Rudy was once a respectable mayor and lawyer, now he’s a complete looney tune with make up running down his face and spouting garbage. This post is not against Mike Garcia, he won fair and square, like Biden. Get a grip people, let’s move on.
Congratulations to congressman, Garcia. Let’s all pray under his leadership the 25th district remains with lower crime compared to Democrat sanctuary cities, and that businesses can prosper.
Typical Dufus the Dumbass comment. He can’t even say anything positive without feeling the need to put some half-baked jab in there! What a sorry, immature, lonely little pansy of a man he is…..
I guess You just don’t realize it, but YOU ARE DESCRIBING YOURSELF.
I know you are but what am I ?
He still hasn’t gotten over not being invited to his boy Gavin’s French restaurant dinner.It must be tough not being informed,witty or humorous and just being abrasive and obnoxious.He may want to breakout his Gavin blow up doll and head to the nearest French restaurant and pretend to feed it escargot dipped in garlic butter.Another thing he may want to do before he rage posts is lay off the YAY YO.
Technicality it’s not over but perhaps Mike Garcia won, it would be nice for you guys to get a W, give you something to be thankful for. Congratulations if it becomes official . I sincerely mean it.
Garcia may be the chosen one that can actually get through to the dummies out there to wear a mask, social distance and avoid large gatherings, especially indoors
Hmmmm….you can accept it isn’t over when it your candidate, but the other way around its a totally different story. The MSM has spent hours every day about how challenging the election results and waiting for anyone other than them to declare the victor a threat to democracy. Oh the irony.
Only avoiding large crowds and close contact with others will reduce spread. This is no different than any other virus from that respect. Masks and social distancing are unconfirmed snake oil at this point. If the government really had any idea what they were doing to slow the spread they wouldn’t take this closed eye dartboard approach.
Well said,
For the record, I have no clue what any of “not shadow’s” comment meant. Well said my ass. It was about as clear as a foggy day.
If you’re seriously thinking masks don’t make a difference it’s because you’re too dumb to understand how to put one on properly.
Garcia would be a big victory for conservatives. If it becomes official, congrats. I didn’t vote for him, hell no, but I can accept it if Smith loses.
FYI, I wouldn’t vote for a male politician who is pro-life. It’s a women’s body, it’s a woman’s choice, keep the government and men out of it.
I vote for Arn 2022 congressman maybe president since he is mr..
knowitall, you have nothing to say nice about anyone. the perfect democrat leader for california oregon and state of washington
Attention: Fighter pilot Mike Garcia-
Make certain you heave reached your target before dropping your load to avoid premature celebration.
Maybe eventually we could get a governor more like the old timer who in Florida a few days ago pulled his dog out of the mouth of an alligator.Dude is a warrior who didn’t even get his cigar wet.
Yes, John. You definitely belong in Florida. That makes perfect sense. Please take Wendy with you.
Yay y felicidades for Mike Garcia. Fine Latino Congressman and has done well these past couple of months in D.C. Sorry Christy Smith!
Felicidades Mike Garcia!!!!!’
The cult of Trumptards and fake Latinos continues
Arn: Put the Bong down. The gentleman Rufus told the truth/facts, yet you put him down for being thankful & proud of SCV. You and your ilk are ruining the USA! Truth/facts: Liberals/Democrats have degenerated cities from Seattle to LA, NY, Chicago, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Kenosha, etc.! Is that true or false?! I know you won’t answer, just another Bong stupid insults, then off to the basement to do a Jeffrey Toobin!
First of all, who has a basement in Santa Clarita? Second, I implore you to pick the bong up. Peace and love Jojo, it’s what the world needs now.