Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom has declared victory in the race for the 50th Assembly District after his lead Wednesday increased to 1246 votes.
“After two years of campaigning in one of the most closely watched elections in the State of California, I just learned that the results of the latest vote count are such that we believe I am assured to be sworn in as the next representative for the 50th Assembly District,” Bloom said in a message to his supporters Wednesday afternoon.
“With a lead of 1246 votes, and a relative few votes left to count, results should be certified on Friday, November 30th and I will be sworn in by State Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye on Monday, December 3 in the State Capitol.”
Bloom said he and his wife Robbie were elated and grateful for this opportunity given to him by the voters of the 50th District.
“I want to thank all my supporters, contributors, staff, volunteers and my family for their unwavering support,” he said.
As of latest reported counting on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 3:45 p.m., Bloom ‘s lead of 1246 votes has been his biggest margin since the Nov. 6 election.
With more than 180,000 ballots counted, Bloom leads with 91,498 votes (50.3 percent) to incumbent Betsy Butler’s 90,252 (49.7 percent).
Of the 80 Assembly Districts in California, the 50th District has been the closest.
The day after the election he led Butler by 218 votes after approximately 138,000 ballots had been counted.
On Nov. 13, Bloom was still 218 votes ahead after approximately 151,000 ballots had been counted.
On Nov. 16, Bloom’s lead increased to 291 votes after approximately 161,000 ballots had been counted.
On Nov. 21, Bloom’s lead decreased to 79 votes after approximately 171,000 ballots had been counted.
On Nov. 26, Bloom increased his margin to 888 votes after approximately 178,500 ballots had been counted.
Both Bloom and Butler are democrats.
Butler, who is yet to concede defeat, has served the 53rd Assembly District since assuming office Dec. 6, 2010, which encompassed parts of Los Angeles and the South Bay.
However, under the 2011 redistricting lines, the 53rd Assembly District changed significantly and Butler chose to run for re-election in the open 50th Assembly District that represents Agoura Hills, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Malibu, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Topanga, West Hollywood, and Westlake Village.
At the June 5 primary, Butler edged Bloom with 25.77 percent of the vote (16,084 votes) to his 25.55 percent of the vote (15,947 votes).
The other two candidates in the June primary race who missed out on securing the top two spots on the Nov. 6 ballot were Republican candidate Brad Torgan with 24.4 percent of the vote (15,227), and Democrat candidate Torie Osborn with 24.28 percent of the vote (15,155 votes).
The LA County Registrar’s office has not released the number of how many ballots that remain uncounted.
