Garcia Retakes Lead Over Smith In 25th Congressional District

LOS ANGELES, CA — Republican Rep. Mike Garcia recaptured a razor-thin lead over Democratic challenger Assemblywoman Christy Smith in the 25th Congressional District race in northern Los Angeles County.

As of Thursday morning, Garcia held a 159-vote lead over Smith Thursday, and it remained unclear how many votes are left to count. Both candidates have the 50 percent vote-count needed to avoid another runoff race. Garcia has 165,178 votes and Smith 165,019, according to figures released Tuesday by the Secretary of State's Office. Both candidates have 50% of the vote.

There was no updated posted Wednesday, which was Veterans Day.

Since Election Day, both candidates have held and then lost the lead more than once. On Tuesday morning, Smith, D-Santa Clarita, had a 1,287-vote lead. On Monday, Garcia, R- Santa Clarita, was leading by 432 votes.

Vote by mail ballots will continue to be accepted through Nov. 20 if they were postmarked by Election Day, and with the race so tight, it remains too close to call.

The district stretches from the Antelope Valley into Ventura County.

Garcia defeated Smith, 54.86%-45.14%, or 95,667-78,721, in a May 12 special election to fill the final 7 1/2 months of the term of former Rep. Katie Hill, D-Agua Dulce, who resigned following the online release of salacious photos and allegations of an extramarital affair with a staff member.

The seat had long been held by Republicans until Hill's 2018 victory over then-Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale.

City News Service