Republican Mike Garcia holds a 6.6 percentage point lead over Democrat Christy Smith in California’s 27th Congressional District, which includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, according to preliminary Nov. 8 midterm election results.
Under state law, California Secretary of State Shirley Weber has until Dec. 16 to certify the results.
“Proud to have the privilege of continuing to represent the new CA-27 for 2 more years! We have lots of work to do to fix our nation’s crisis and get it back on track. Thank you CA-27 for the resounding victory!” Garcia posted on Facebook on Nov. 9.
Garcia raised about $6.6 million in campaign contributions as of Oct. 19 while Smith collected approximately $3.6 million, according to the most current data available from the Federal Election Commission.
Due to redistricting, incumbent Democrat Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) ran for reelection in California’s 28th Congressional District. The 27th District is now located in approximately the same geographic area as the former 25th District.
Garcia is a first-generation American citizen and was a United States Naval Officer and businessman before serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
He was a U.S. Navy pilot for more than 20 years and flew more than 30 combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad, Fallujah, and Tikrit, according to his campaign website.
Garcia campaigned on improving the economy, creating jobs, and reducing taxes and inflation as key issues.
Smith served in the California Assembly from 2018 to 2020. She has worked as an analyst at the U.S. Department of Education and founded the Valencia Valley Technological Education Foundation. Additionally, Smith served two terms on the Newhall School Board.
Among some of Smith’s campaign platforms were codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law, fighting “to protect our democracy and everyone’s right to vote,” as well as working with President Joe Biden “to deliver for our community on education, jobs, housing, health care and opportunity.”
She supported the Equality Act, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, the Violence Against Women Act, the Bipartisan Universal Background Check Act, and the Women’s Health Protection Act.
Smith also pledged to protect Social Security and Medicare and lower the cost of prescriptions as well as “implement a robust paid family leave program and ensure the Child Tax Credit remains permanent,” according to her campaign website.
