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By Miriam Raftery
Photos by Dennis Richardson
November 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – This election night provided both political parties in California with victories as well as defeats. Nationally, Republicans are projected to regain a majority in the House of Representatives, picking up 60 seats—including some won be Tea Party-backed candidates. Democrats retained control in the Senate by a slim margin. "
But in California, Democrats swept the slate, winning all statewide offices except attorney general. Former Governor Jerry Brown soundly defeated former E-Bay CEO Meg Whitman 52.8% to 42.4% to regain his former job, despite Whitman spending $163 million—the highest amount ever spent on a political race in California.
"With their voices, the American people are demanding a new way forward in Washington," said John Boehner, current Republican minority leader who is expected to become majority leader when the new Congress takes office in January. Newly elected Tea Party-candidates have called for cutting spending and reducing the size of government.
In his acceptance speech, Governor-elect Brown said he would make improving the state's education system a top priority in Sacramento."We want to make sure they (students) have what they need to achieve greatness," he said. "Every kid has so much potential. And we ought to make sure our society keeps that in the forefront of whatever we do.”
California's Democratic Senator Barbara Boxer appears to have held onto her seat, national news services project, though Republican Carly Fiorina has not yet conceded defeat.
Democratic challenger Gavin Newsom, mayor of San Francisco, beat out incumbent Republican Lt. Governor Abel Maldenado, who was appointed to the position. Democratic incumbents Debra Bowen, Secretary of State, John Chiang, Controller, and Bil Lockyer, treasurer, all won reelection handily. Democrat Dave Jones won election as Insurance Commissioner by a ten point margin over Republican Mike Villines, while Tom Torlakson is the new Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Attorney General’s race remains too close to call, with Republican Steve Cooley currently at 46.5% to Democrat Kamala Harris at 45.1%.
Local Board of Equalization member Mary Christian Heising, a Democrat, lost to Michelle Steel, a Republican. The Board overall split 2-2- in the election among Republicans and Democrats.
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