Smith and Garcia finished one-two in the special election to fill out Hill’s term, with Republican Steve Knight, who lost the seat to Hill, finishing third.
Confusing matters in the district that stretches from the Antelope Valley into Ventura County was the fact that voters had to cast ballots twice — once in a special election to fill the balance of Hill’s term that lasts through the end of the year, and again in a primary election to fill the seat for the next two years. The major candidates seeking the office appeared on both ballots.
Smith would have had to win more than 50% of the vote in the special election to win the seat outright to finish out Hill’s term.
The special election was instigated by Hill’s resignation amid the release of salacious photos online and allegations of an extramarital affair with a staff member.
According to preliminary results from the California Secretary of State website, Smith won 34.4% of votes (26,479) in the special election and 29.8% of votes (26,305) in the regular primary election. Garcia came in second with 28.3% of votes (21,780) in the special election and 25.5% of votes (22,542) in the regular primary election. Knight came in third with 18.9% of votes (14,527) in the special election and 20.1% of votes (17,776) in the regular primary election.
Smith was endorsed by many of the area’s biggest Democratic names and by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Her campaign website touts a variety of priority issues, led by improving public education, ending “corruption in Washington,” boosting support for first-responders and ensuring access to affordable health care.
Garcia is a former Navy pilot who said he was inspired to vie for the post because Hill “did not represent our moderate district.”
Garcia was endorsed by more than 20 current and former elected officials including Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris, former Governor Pete Wilson and former Congressman Buck McKeon.
For more information on Christy Smith, visit: https://www.christyforcongress.org/. For more information on Mike Garcia, visit: https://www.electmikegarcia.com/.
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TakeTheBuzzCut says
Yo Mike Garica, if you’re reading this. It’s time to embrace your awful hairline and just get a buzzcut. From one balding guy to another, trust me, it just gets worse.
Yes! says
Correct! I would say it’s time to shave it off and start over.
Jason Zink says
Pipsqueak Steve Knight deserved to lose, he has been riding his father’s coattails for too long and at the public trough. Did little to solve local problems from Hwy 138, 14 Freeway Bottlenecks, slow Metrolink, Opening Littlerock Dam, ER and Health Crises in AV, not designating all of AV a Federal Opportunity Zone. The list goes on and on.
The problem with Garcia and Smith they know nothing about AV….I hope the take the time to visit and learn and put their district first over party politics.
Magnetlady says
Jason… Knight alienated a lot of people with his ”Amnesty Discharge Petition” to his vote to pay for Military ”Transgender Surgeries” by the TAXPAYERS… We watched his votes carefully & campaigning as a Conservative, then voting ”Liberal” was the ‘nail in his coffin …Then his ‘NON-SUPPORT’ in 2016 for President Trump didn’t give us much hope either. His loss, IMHO, was ”self-inflicted”, sadly!!
Leslie R. says
Knight alienated a lot of people, sure! But it wasn’t you paranoid, Gadsden flag flying conservatives who took him out. It was moderate Republicans and Democrats tired of hearing his rhetoric about “socialism” while making a career out of government service in one capacity or another.
Complete and utter hypocrisy!
If Garcia keeps pushing Trump and this whole anti-abortion mantra, he’s going to find himself “Knighted” too!
Salacious Photos says
Katie Hill was the best politician this state has ever produced.
Magnetlady says
Congrats to Mike Garcia!!