2017 California's 34th congressional district special election

2017 California's 34th congressional district special election
← 2016 June 6, 2017 2018 →
California's 34th congressional district
Turnout14.27%
 
Candidate Jimmy Gomez Robert Lee Ahn
Party Democratic Democratic
Popular vote 25,569 17,610
Percentage 59.2 40.8
Map key
Gomez:      20–30%      60–70%
Ahn:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. Representative before election

Xavier Becerra
Democratic

Elected U.S. Representative

Jimmy Gomez
Democratic

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A special election was held on June 6, 2017, to elect the member of the United States House of Representatives for California's 34th congressional district. A special open primary election was held on April 4, 2017.

Incumbent Representative Xavier Becerra, nominated by Governor Jerry Brown to succeed Kamala Harris, was confirmed as Attorney General of California on January 23, 2017.[1] Harris, who was elected to the United States Senate to succeed Barbara Boxer, resigned as attorney general on January 3, 2017.[2]

Democrats Jimmy Gomez and Robert Lee Ahn advanced to the runoff.[3] Gomez defeated Ahn 59.22% to 40.78%.[4]

Candidates

Democratic Party

Upon the announcement of incumbent representative Xavier Becerra's selection as Attorney General of California, John Pérez, the former Speaker of the California State Assembly, announced his candidacy to succeed him in the House of Representatives.[2] He soon withdrew from the race, citing a recent health diagnosis.[5]

Declared

  • Robert Lee Ahn, attorney and Los Angeles City planning commissioner
  • Vanessa Aramayo, former congressional aide and former California Assembly aide[6]
  • Maria Cabildo, former Los Angeles City planning commissioner and director of homeless initiatives at the LA County Community Development Commission & Housing Authority,[7] Co-founder of East LA Community Corporation[8]
  • Alejandra Campoverdi, former White House aide for U.S. President Barack Obama[9]
  • Arturo Carmona, former Bernie Sanders presidential campaign staff member[10]
  • Wendy Carrillo, labor activist and radio host[11][12]
  • Ricardo De La Fuente, businessman and son of 2016 presidential candidate Rocky De La Fuente[13]
  • Yolie Flores, former Los Angeles Unified School District board member[14]
  • Melissa "Sharkie" Garza, filmmaker and businesswoman[15]
  • Jimmy Gomez, state assemblyman[16]
  • Sara Hernandez, former public school teacher, attorney, nonprofit founder, and former district director and special counsel to LA City Council Member Jose Huizar.[17]
  • Steven Mac, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney[9]
  • Sandra Mendoza, candidate for the State Assembly in 2014 and 2016[18]
  • Raymond Meza, SEIU labor organizer[9]
  • Armando Sotomayor, activist
  • Richard Joseph Sullivan, attorney
  • Tracy Van Houten, aerospace engineer[19]
  • Tenaya Wallace, public relations strategist[18]

Withdrew

Declined

Republican Party

Declared

  • William Rodriguez Morrison, apartment building manager and perennial candidate[18]

Green Party

Declared

Libertarian Party

Declared

Independents

Declared

  • Mark Padilla, law office administrator

General election

Endorsements

Wendy Carrillo (D)

Politicians

Activists

Organizations

Maria Cabildo (D)

Newspapers

Arturo Carmona (D)

Celebrities

Organizations

Jimmy Gomez (D)

Federal politicians

Statewide Politicians

Citywide Politicians

Organizations

Robert Lee Ahn (D)

Current and Former Elected Officials

Athletes

Organizations

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Wendy
Carrillo (D) 		Jimmy
Gomez (D) 		Sara
Hernandez (D) 		William Rodriguez
Morrison (R) 		Other /
Undecided
FM3 Research (D-Hernandez)[49] February 11–14, 2017 500 ± 4.4% 5% 20% 9% 5% 61%[50]

Results

California's 34th congressional district special election, 2017[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jimmy Gomez 10,728 25.5
Democratic Robert Lee Ahn 9,415 22.2
Democratic Maria Cabildo 4,259 10.1
Democratic Sara Hernandez 2,358 5.6
Democratic Arturo Carmona 2,205 5.2
Democratic Wendy Carrillo 2,195 5.2
Green Kenneth Mejia 1,964 4.6
Democratic Yolie Flores 1,368 3.2
Republican William Morrison 1,360 3.2
Democratic Tracy Van Houten 1,042 2.5
Democratic Alejandra Campoverdi 1,001 2.4
Democratic Vanessa Aramayo 853 2.0
Democratic Sandra Mendoza 674 1.6
Democratic Steven Mac 663 1.6
Democratic Raymond Meza 509 1.2
No party preference Mark Edward Padilla 427 1.0
Democratic Ricardo De La Fuente 331 0.8
Libertarian Angela McArdle 319 0.7
Democratic Adrienne Nicole Edwards 182 0.4
Democratic Richard Joseph Sullivan 155 0.4
Democratic Armando Sotomayor 118 0.3
Democratic Tenaya Wallace 103 0.2
Democratic Melissa "Sharkie" Garza 79 0.2
Democratic Michelle Walker (write-in) 0 0.0
Total votes 42,308 100.0

Runoff

Endorsements

Jimmy Gomez (D)

Federal politicians

Statewide Politicians

Citywide Politicians

Organizations

Robert Lee Ahn (D)

Current and Former Elected Officials

Athletes

Organizations

Results

California's 34th congressional district special general election, 2017[53]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jimmy Gomez 25,569 59.2 N/A
Democratic Robert Lee Ahn 17,610 40.8 N/A
Total votes 43,179 100.0 N/A
Democratic hold

See also

References

  1. ^ "Essential Politics: California Senate votes to confirm Becerra as AG, state lawmakers watch Trump's inauguration". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Wire, Sarah D.; Clifford, John (January 3, 2017). "Kamala Harris sworn in as first Indian American senator and California's first black senator". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  3. ^ "Jimmy Gomez, Robert Lee Ahn advance in L.A. congressional race, prepare to face off in June contest". LA Times. April 5, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  4. ^ "Final Official Election Results - Congressional District 34 General Special General Election, June 6, 2017". California Secretary of State. June 4, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  5. ^ "Essential Politics: Garcetti talks about his phone call with Trump, pension fund considers expanding tobacco investments". Retrieved December 14, 2016 – via LA Times.
  6. ^ Mai-Duc, Christine (January 4, 2017). "Former leader of antipoverty group joins race to replace Xavier Becerra in Congress". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  7. ^ Mai-Duc, Christine (January 5, 2017). "Former L.A. planning commissioner becomes 12th to enter race to succeed Rep. Xavier Becerra". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  8. ^ Chiao, Christine (May 6, 2015). "Meet Maria Cabildo, the Patron Saint of Boyle Heights". Los Angeles Weekly. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Mai-Duc, Christine (December 22, 2016). "Former White House aide, also a former L.A. Times employee, joins candidates vying to succeed Xavier Becerra". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  10. ^ "Former Bernie Sanders campaign aide Arturo Carmona enters race to replace Becerra". Los Angeles Times. December 13, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  11. ^ Carrillo, Wendy. "Why I'm running for Congress #CD34". Medium. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  12. ^ "Profile - Wendy Carrillo". KCRW. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  13. ^ "Essential Politics: State Senate committee moves to assist immigrants, what California's members of Congress are saying about Trump's executive order". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  14. ^ "Former LAUSD board member enters the fray to replace Xavier Becerra". Los Angeles Times. December 16, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  15. ^ "Melissa Garza". IMDb. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  16. ^ "Essential Politics: Garcetti talks about his phone call with Trump, pension fund considers expanding tobacco investments". Retrieved December 14, 2016 – via LA Times.
  17. ^ Sklar, Debbie (December 13, 2016). "Teacher, non-profit leader running for Becerra seat". My News LA. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  18. ^ a b c Mai-Duc, Christine (January 13, 2017). "More candidates say they're running for Xavier Becerra's congressional seat, bringing field to 16". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  19. ^ "Rocket scientist, mom & ignited citizen running for Congress in California's 34th. Ready to blast off to Washington for this beautifully diverse city". www.crowdpac.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  20. ^ Myers, John (December 10, 2016). "Former Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez decides against running for Rep. Xavier Becerra's congressional seat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  21. ^ "Essential Politics: State Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra to open Washington office, cap-and-trade auction revenue results are revealed". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  22. ^ a b c d Koseff, Alexei (December 1, 2016). "Becerra's attorney general selection sets off scurry for House replacement". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  23. ^ a b c Mai-Duc, Christine (January 13, 2017). "Who's in and who's out in the race to replace Rep. Xavier Becerra in Congress". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  24. ^ a b Mai-Duc, Christine (December 1, 2016). "Rep. Becerra Named California Attorney General". Roll Call. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  25. ^ Wire, Sarah D. (December 5, 2016). "Los Angeles City Council member won't seek Becerra seat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  26. ^ "LA Councilman David Ryu won't run for open congressional seat". Los Angeles Daily News. December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  27. ^ Wire, Sarah D.; Mason, Melanie (December 2, 2016). "Special election to replace Rep. Xavier Becerra in Congress could get crowded". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  28. ^ "Kenneth Mejia, a 26-year-old self-proclaimed 'Berniecrat,' joins the fray in 34th Congressional District". Los Angeles Times. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  29. ^ "California Libertarian Angela McArdle Files To Run For Congress In Special Election". Independent Political Report. February 2, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  30. ^ "The 'Bernie vote' is split in the race to replace Xavier Becerra in Congress". Los Angeles Times. February 28, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  31. ^ "Meet the Political Candidate Who Just Got Endorsed by the Leaders of the Women's March". Elle. March 31, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  32. ^ "Monday April 4th, #CA holds a special election". Twitter. April 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  33. ^ "In California's 34th district, Maria Cabildo is a new kind of candidate for a new kind of Democratic Party". Los Angeles Times. March 14, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  34. ^ "California's 34th Congressional District special election, 2017". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  35. ^ "California's 34th Congressional District special election, 2017". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez racks up endorsements from Latino elected officials in fight for Becerra's congressional seat". Los Angeles Times. December 14, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  37. ^ a b 30
  38. ^ a b "California politics updates: Gov. Brown takes his transportation plan on the road, 'sanctuary state' bill amended". Retrieved April 7, 2017 – via LA Times.
  39. ^ a b "California politics updates: State Legislature approves a $52-billion transportation proposal to fix the state's roads, highways and bridges". Retrieved April 7, 2017 – via LA Times.
  40. ^ a b "Who's in and who's out in the race to replace Rep. Xavier Becerra in Congress". Los Angeles Times. January 17, 2017. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  41. ^ a b "Essential Politics: State Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra to open Washington office, cap-and-trade auction revenue results are revealed". Retrieved April 7, 2017 – via LA Times.
  42. ^ a b "ATTORNEY AHN RUNNING FOR BECERRA'S HOUSE SEAT".
  43. ^ a b "Korean Americans have his back, but Robert Lee Ahn will need more to become L.A.'s next congressman". Los Angeles Times.
  44. ^ a b "Facebook". Facebook.
  45. ^ a b "Facebook". Facebook.
  46. ^ a b "Rafu.com".
  47. ^ a b "Jason Collins on Twitter". Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  48. ^ a b "KOREAN AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE ENDORSES CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE ROBERT LEE AHN FOR THE 34th DISTRICT". Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  49. ^ FM3 Research (D-Hernandez)
  50. ^ Arturo Carmona (D) and Yolie Flores (D) with 4%, Kenneth Mejia (G) with 3%, Alejandra Campoverdi (D) with 2%, Robert Lee Ahn (D) with 1%, Other/Undecided with 47%
  51. ^ "Final Official Election Results - Congressional District 34 Special Primary Election, April 4, 2017". California Secretary of State. April 4, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  52. ^ "Jmmy Gomez". Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  53. ^ "Final Official Election Results - Congressional District 34 General Special General Election, June 6, 2017". California Secretary of State. June 4, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2019.