MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (KNX) — Democratic candidate for the 49th Assembly District Mike Fong has declared victory in the special primary election for the seat. Though Fong maintains a sizeable lead over Republican Burton Brink, many votes remain to be counted.
The seat was formerly held by Ed Chau (D.-Monterey Park) until he was appointed to an L.A. County Superior Court judgeship. The 49th includes the communities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City, and portions of El Monte, Montebello, and South El Monte.
Since only two candidates participated in Tuesday’s primary, an April 19 general election was deemed unnecessary and the victor will hold the seat until Dec. 5. Both candidates said they intended to run in the June primary and November general election for the same seat under newly drawn district lines. The winner of that election would hold the seat through the end of 2024.
As of Wednesday, Fong received 23,338, or just over 68 percent, to Brink’s 10,919 (nearly 32 percent). A total of 34,362 ballots were processed and counted, with just over 14 percent of registered voters casting ballots.
The next update on the vote count is expected on Friday at 4 p.m., with another scheduled for Tuesday at the same time. The final tally is due Thursday, Feb. 24 at noon, with election certification following that day.
Still, Fong struck a strident tone in a news release sent out by his campaign late Tuesday night.
“The San Gabriel Valley is filled with talent, hope, hard work, untapped opportunity, and dreams for the future,” it read in part. “I promise to work every day to deliver results for the San Gabriel Valley, and to be a relentless advocate for every person who lives here.”
Brink told The Pasadena Star News he had not yet conceded the race as of Thursday.
“Votes are still being counted and I look forward to all votes being counted before a victor is declared,” he said. “It would be unfair to all the voters to make a statement at this time, before their votes are counted.”
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