A Republican has captured a vacant U.S. House seat north of Los Angeles with support from President Donald Trump.
Former Navy fighter pilot Mike Garcia had about 56% of the votes following an updated tally Wednesday. The win over Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith represents a rare victory for Republicans in heavily Democratic California.
The last time the party reclaimed a Democratic seat was 1998.
The race in the 25th District was being watched nationally as a proxy vote on Trump’s leadership during the coronavirus crisis, as well as for hints about the political climate heading toward the November elections.