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.