Democrat Sharon Quirk-Silva’s campaign strategist declared victory on her behalf Wednesday, saying she will maintain her “decisive lead” over Republican incumbent Young Kim in the race for the 65th state Assembly seat.
“Quirk-Silva’s lead has nearly tripled from 1,542 (votes) to 4,311 since Election Day, and the remaining ballots will continue to increase that margin,” said a news release from Sacramento campaign strategist Matthew Reilly.
More than a week after the Nov. 8 election, paper ballots mailed or delivered up to election day still are being counted. In the most recent tally released at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Quirk-Silva led Kim 51.7 percent to 48.3 percent.
In the news release, Quirk-Silva said: “I am grateful to the voters for their confidence. I will always put their interests first.
“Nationally there is a lot of anxiety about what is coming and I, too, am concerned about the direction of our country. As an elected leader I will fight like heck to make sure our community and our state move forward toward a brighter future for everyone.”
Neither Quirk-Silva nor Reilly returned calls seeking more information.
A former Fullerton city councilwoman, Quirk-Silva won the Assembly seat in an upset over incumbent Chris Norby in 2012. Then she lost the seat to Kim, a former aide to Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton), in 2014. Kim is the first Korean-American Republican woman to serve in the state Legislature.
You can contact Tracy Wood at twood@voiceofoc.org and follow her on Twitter: @TracyVOC.