Smith Ahead As Lead In 25th Congressional District Race Seesaws

LOS ANGELES, CA — The drama of one of the closest congressional races in the country continues to play out Los Angeles County's 25th Congressional District, as Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith hopscotched over Republican Rep. Mike Garcia in the vote tally as of Tuesday morning.

With additional figures to be released Tuesday afternoon her lead could grow or evaporate before day's end. Smith holds a 1,287-vote lead over Garcia in the race for the northern Los Angeles County congressional seat. Garcia is currently the last Republican incumbent in the county's Congressional delegation.

Smith leads 50.2%-49.8%, 160,756-159,469, according to figures released by the Secretary of State's Office Friday. Updated figures are expected to be released Tuesday afternoon.

Garcia led by 432 votes entering Monday's count, 50.1%-49.9%, 148,916- 148,484.

Vote by mail ballots will continue to be accepted through Nov. 20 if they were postmarked by Election Day.

Smith, D-Santa Clarita, led by 1,722 votes Wednesday and 256 votes Thursday in the district that stretches from the Antelope Valley into Ventura County.

Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, defeated Smith, 54.86%-45.14%, 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 and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.