Republican Catharine Baker, a Pleasanton attorney, has been elected 16th District State Assemblywoman, serving a wide area of the East Bay that includes Pleasanton and Dublin, where she lives.
Although more than 10,000 votes still need to be counted, returns counted this weekend show that Baker received 66,867, or 51.7% of votes cast in the 16th State Assembly District election, against 62,526, or 48.3% for her opponent, Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti, a Democrat.
Baker's election means that Assembly Democrats have lost their supermajority in the Assembly, with Republicans picking up the 27 seats needed in the 80-member Assembly..
Her success follows other election victories that also took away a Democratic supermajority in the 40-member state Senate.
"I would like to say a big thank you to the voters of Assembly District 16 for a victory in this race," Baker said. "By focusing on issues over partisanship and working together to connect with the community, we did it!"
Baker added:
"There is much work to be done, from improving our children's education, growing our economy, investing in our infrastructure, and getting California fiscally stable. I can't wait to get started.
"I will need your help, and all along the way I welcome your feedback on the issues affecting our community regardless of party affiliation or background. I will work hard in Sacramento every single day to earn the honor of representing you and our community.
"For now, my family and I thank you. This has been a rigorous campaign, and I could not have done this without your support."
In addition to Baker, Ling-Ling Chang (55th) and Young Kim (65th) were also elected for the first time. That gives the Assembly Republican Caucus eight women members in the upcoming session, making women almost 30% of that caucus.
Kim is the first Korean-American Republican woman to be elected to the State Assembly. Chang is the first Taiwanese-American Republican woman to be elected to the State Assembly.
Comments
Pleasanton Valley
on Nov 10, 2014 at 8:22 am
on Nov 10, 2014 at 8:22 am
Praise the Lord, the Democrats no longer have the Assembly by the neck!
Country Fair
on Nov 10, 2014 at 8:27 am
on Nov 10, 2014 at 8:27 am
Woo Hoo! Congrats Ms. Baker and for having the courage and will to stand up to the Sbranti machine and the most powerful, corrupt and entrenched teachers union in the country. You've undoubtedly painted a big target on your back and hopefully you'll have developed a thick skin and be prepared for an endless barrage of personal and ethical accusations as you enter into the political foray.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 10, 2014 at 8:39 am
on Nov 10, 2014 at 8:39 am
Tim Sbranti continues to claim that he was Eric Swalwell's mentor. One wonders if he will now try to put the touch on Swalwell to give him a job on Swalwell's staff. Or, if he will now try to get a full-pay executive position with the teacher's union. Or, if he will continue as a "teacher" that rarely shows up for work.
Highland Oaks
on Nov 10, 2014 at 9:34 am
on Nov 10, 2014 at 9:34 am
Congratulations Assemblywoman Baker! So good to know that a Republican can still win in California! You have my support.
Pleasanton Valley
on Nov 10, 2014 at 9:51 am
on Nov 10, 2014 at 9:51 am
DEM - Tim Sbranti 27013 51.83
REP - Catharine Baker 25107 48.17
Unofficial election results updated Nov 9 at 5pm. Web Link Where are the results that show Baker in the lead?
another community
on Nov 10, 2014 at 10:41 am
on Nov 10, 2014 at 10:41 am
@Confused, It was a 2 county race. The results you show are from Alameda County only. Baker had a larger margin in Contrast Costa than Sbranti had in Alameda.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 10, 2014 at 11:31 am
on Nov 10, 2014 at 11:31 am
Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 10, 2014 at 11:33 am
on Nov 10, 2014 at 11:33 am
Due to repeated violations of our Terms of Use, comments from this poster are automatically removed. Why?
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 10, 2014 at 3:14 pm
on Nov 10, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Dear Confused,
At 3:00 today (Mon) the only 'official' site for tracking this 16th "DISTRICT" race is the Ca Secy of State site. At this time, the count is Repub Baker leading 67,706, 51.6%; vs Dem Sbranti losing 63,602, 48.4%. Difference 4,104. Sbranti has not been ahead in the district. You are not alone Confused, others have been confused, thinking Sbranti was close. Baker has always had a 3.+% lead, currently 3.2% lead, several times it was 3.8, 3.6, etc. Most of Alameda County is not in the 16th district.
Val Vista
on Nov 10, 2014 at 7:50 pm
on Nov 10, 2014 at 7:50 pm
She bought herself a good district.
Registered user
Birdland
on Nov 10, 2014 at 7:55 pm
Registered user
on Nov 10, 2014 at 7:55 pm
Phil, she really must have paid quite a bit to beat the union thugs with deep pockets. Good for her.....good for all of us who don't follow in lockstep with the socialist unions.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 10, 2014 at 11:24 pm
on Nov 10, 2014 at 11:24 pm
The 'people' won.
Registered user
Downtown
on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:43 am
Registered user
on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:43 am
Headline is a bit miss-leading. As of this a.m. only 4000 votes separate the contenders Web Link
Check it daily, as counting continues...
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:55 am
on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:55 am
Cosmic, did you read my comment to 'Confused', several comments back. Tally changes in tiny increments daily...results haven't changed since election night.
Downtown
on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:28 pm
on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:28 pm
The union didn't stuff enough ballots?