Initial election night results for the 68th State Assembly District race showed Democratic Santa Ana City Councilmember David Penaloza was in the lead with around 53% of the over 47,800 votes counted as of 10:02 p.m.
His opponent, Democrat Santa Ana Councilmember Jessie Lopez, trailed behind at about 47% – a difference of over 3,300 votes.
The winner will succeed Assemblyman Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim), who’s running to become state senator, and represent a district covering Santa Ana, Anaheim and Orange.
Penaloza is endorsed by a host of law enforcement and public safety unions, labor unions, the OC Register and the California Democratic Party.
Lopez is endorsed by a host of labor unions including Service Employees International Union, progressive groups, Chispa, Senator Bernie Sanders and the late Labor activist Dolores Huerta.
Special interest groups including real estate interests, oil companies, big tech and labor unions have poured millions of dollars into the assembly race.
A host of committees, including spending groups funded by big tech companies like Google and Meta, have spent over $8.3 million in support of Penaloza, while other groups, including committees funded by labor unions, spent nearly $2.3 million supporting Lopez, as of Oct. 27.
A committee backed by Service Employees International Union spent over $1.3 million to oppose Penaloza’s campaign, while a host of groups including ones backed by oil companies, big tech and real estate interests spent over $4.1 million against Lopez, as of Oct. 27.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org.
