News, Election, Santa Monica

Bloom Increases Lead in 50th Assembly Race To Biggest Margin Yet: 292 Votes

Courtesy Photos

Richard Bloom holds a narrow victory over Betsy Butler after 100 percent of precincts were counted as part of the Nov. 6 election.

Posted Nov. 17, 2012, 1:50 am

Brenton Garen / Editor-in-Chief

At the end of counting Friday, Nov. 16 at 5:26 p.m., Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom increased his lead in the race for the 50th Assembly District seat to a margin of 291 votes.

This is the largest lead he has had after 100 percent of precincts were reported the day after the Nov. 6 election.

At end of business on Tuesday when the LA County Registrar's office website was last updated with results, he was just 218 votes ahead.

As it now stands, Bloom leads incumbent Betsy Butler with 80,934 votes to her 80,643 votes (50. 1 percent to 49.9 percent).

The slight lead increase comes after a further 10,389 vote by mail ballots were counted between Tuesday at 5:24 p.m. and Friday at 5:26 p.m.

On Tuesday, Bloom had 75,703 votes (50.1 percent) to Butler’s 75,485 votes (49.9 percent).

A new district, the 50th Assembly represents Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Topanga, West Hollywood, and Westlake Village. In all, there are 80 assembly districts in California.

Both Bloom and Butler are democrats.

Check back at smmirror.com as votes continue to be counted.