(KMJ) The California Assembly will welcome another democrat to the state capitol.
Kingsburg democrat Dr. Joaquin Arambula has won the hotly contested race for the 31st Assembly District.
Arambula earned 52% of the vote. Republican Fresno City Councilman Clint Olivier trails with 42%. Even though provisional and mail-in ballots yet to be counted, Olivier conceded.
Democrat Ted Miller of Carruthers finished a distant third with almost six percent.
Olivier will continue to campaign in the June primary (and likely November general) for the full-term.
Tuesday’s special election was held to fill the seat of Henry T. Perea who left his post early for a job in the pharmaceutical industry.
Olivier campaign spokesman Alex Tavlian issued the following statement in response to Tuesday night’s results: “While Tuesday’s numbers come as a disappointment to our many supporters, there is still an incredible hunger for change. That hunger terrified Sacramento special interests to the tune of $2 million in campaign spending. The fight must continue because our neighbors can’t afford another 40 years of being left behind by Sacramento and its ‘all talk, no action’ politicians.”
