After a drawn out election contest, Republican Mike Garcia won an upset victory in California’s 25th district after Democratic California State Assemblywoman Christy Smith conceded the special election on Wednesday.
The seat had flipped from Republican control to the Democrats when Katie Hill won the seat in 2018. She resigned in disgrace after her “throuple” relationship made for sensationalistic headlines and great controversy in October.
Garcia, who is a former Navy fighter pilot, will serve out the rest of the term until November, when the seat will go up for election again.
Smith conceded with a statement on Facebook.
Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ passes key House hurdle after GOP rebel mutiny
Afghan Christian pastor pleads with Trump, warns of Taliban revenge after admin revokes refugee protections
LA County DA Nathan Hochman promises crackdown on illegal immigrants: ‘The fun is over’
Los Angeles business owner blasts ‘Baby Shark’ on repeat to ward off homeless encampments
Alcatraz ‘absolutely’ can reopen: Bureau of Prisons director
Nickelodeon Deletes ‘Dora the Explorer’ Video After People Realize What Word It’s Trying to Teach Kids
Bruce Springsteen ignores question about Trump feud while signing autographs: video
Op-Ed: Missouri Republicans Made a Massive Error with New Ballot Measure
Political world reacts to former President Biden’s ‘aggressive’ cancer diagnosis: ‘Incredibly difficult’
Trump wishes Biden ‘fast and successful recovery’ after prostate cancer diagnosis
It Looks Like Jaguar Is Ditching Agency Behind Bizarre Ad – What Were They Thinking?
Rubio says people should be ‘celebrating’ US welcoming South African immigrants
Hollywood Star Told to Change Her Outfit at Film Festival: ‘Probably Also a Good Rule’
Joe Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive form’ of prostate cancer with metastasis to the bone
Breaking: Joe Biden Diagnosed with Cancer
All over in #CA25: Democrat Christy Smith has decided she's seen enough, and has conceded the race to now-Rep.-elect Mike Garcia, a Republican. BIG win for Republicans in a district Clinton carried in 2016 and one that wasn't particularly close in the midterms pic.twitter.com/cr68e8qvyx
— Zach Montellaro (@ZachMontellaro) May 13, 2020
“[W]e believe that the current tally shows Mike Garcia is the likely victor in the May 12 special election,” she said. “As such, I’d like to congratulate him.”
President Donald Trump weighed into the special election when he tweeted a warning that Democrats were trying to rig the election against the Republicans.
“Dems are trying to steal the Mike Garcia Congressional Race in California. Republicans, get out and VOTE for your terrific candidate, ASAP!” he tweeted on May 11.
Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ passes key House hurdle after GOP rebel mutiny
Afghan Christian pastor pleads with Trump, warns of Taliban revenge after admin revokes refugee protections
LA County DA Nathan Hochman promises crackdown on illegal immigrants: ‘The fun is over’
Los Angeles business owner blasts ‘Baby Shark’ on repeat to ward off homeless encampments
Alcatraz ‘absolutely’ can reopen: Bureau of Prisons director
Nickelodeon Deletes ‘Dora the Explorer’ Video After People Realize What Word It’s Trying to Teach Kids
Bruce Springsteen ignores question about Trump feud while signing autographs: video
Op-Ed: Missouri Republicans Made a Massive Error with New Ballot Measure
Political world reacts to former President Biden’s ‘aggressive’ cancer diagnosis: ‘Incredibly difficult’
Trump wishes Biden ‘fast and successful recovery’ after prostate cancer diagnosis
It Looks Like Jaguar Is Ditching Agency Behind Bizarre Ad – What Were They Thinking?
Rubio says people should be ‘celebrating’ US welcoming South African immigrants
Hollywood Star Told to Change Her Outfit at Film Festival: ‘Probably Also a Good Rule’
Joe Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive form’ of prostate cancer with metastasis to the bone
Breaking: Joe Biden Diagnosed with Cancer
After the election as the votes were still being tabulated, the president congratulated Garcia.
“Big Congressional win in California for Mike Garcia, taking back a seat from the Democrats,” Trump tweeted.
Big Congressional win in California for Mike Garcia, taking back a seat from the Democrats. This is the first time in many years that a California Dem seat has flipped back to a Republican. Also, Tom Tiffany beat his Democrat rival BIG in Wisconsin. Two great Congressional WINS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 13, 2020
“This is the first time in many years that a California Dem seat has flipped back to a Republican,” he added.
Democrats hoped to retain the seat as a sign that they were gaining strength and enthusiasm in the run up to the presidential election. Those hopes have been dashed away.
