Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez Wins Special Election To Represent California's 34th District In Congress
Current Assemblyman soon-to-be Congressman Jimmy Gomez. (Photo courtesy of Jimmy Gomez)
Update: [10:47 p.m.] Robert Lee Ahn has conceded, making Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez California's next Congressional representative, according to the L.A. Times.
Robert Lee Ahn has conceded. He is somewhere behind that curtain. Hasn't addressed crowd yet. "Shout" by Tears for Fears is playing. #CA34 pic.twitter.com/nn7DgHxjoV
— Javier Panzar (@jpanzar) June 7, 2017
Angelenos once again headed to the polls on Tuesday, this time to fill the Congressional seat vacated earlier this year by the now state attorney general Xavier Becerra. Quick refresher: former California attorney general Kamala Harris's ascendance to the Senate set off a game of political musical chairs: Governor Brown appointed Becerra to replace Harris as state AG, meaning Becerra's Congressional seat representing L.A.'s 34 District was suddenly open for business.
There were plenty of contenders hoping to represent the district, which includes downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, and parts of northeast L.A., and 23 candidates vied for the seat in a special election in April. State Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez and public interest lawyer Robert Lee Ahn advanced to today's runoff after emerging as the top two candidates in the April primary.
The polls closed at 8 p.m., and Gomez holds a slight lead over Ahn in the early returns.
Here's a live update of the vote tally, thanks to our friends at Decision Desk HQ:
Sponsored message
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
