When the union spent $3.5 million to defeat Democrats Senator Josh Newman, it was not about his one vote or him. It was a statement by the union, that in a One Party State, killing off one Democrat is not a big deal—it show the others to vote as told or we will throw you out.
“Democratic State Sen. Josh Newman conceded in his race to continue representing Orange County to Republican former Assemblyman Steven Choi. Choi for days now has been leading the race and was up by about 6,000 votes as of Monday night.
Campaign finance data show the Democratic Party and other donors poured $6.8 million into Newman’s campaign. Choi meanwhile raised a fraction of that, at $856,271.
Choi got a boost from the largest labor union representing University of California workers, AFSCME 3299, which spent $3.5 million fighting Newman’s reelection through independent expenditures. The group was frustrated he didn’t support a constitutional amendment strengthening the workers’ rights.”
Compared to the Democrats, Choi and the GOP raised almost no money. Out of $1- million spent on the race, Choi and the GOP raised only 8.5% of all the money spent.
California State Senate seat flips from Democratic to Republican, 1st time since 1980
Democratic State Sen. Josh Newman conceded in his race to continue representing Orange County to Republican former Assemblyman Steven Choi.
Ashley Zavala, KCRA, 11/25/24 https://www.kcra.com/article/california-state-senate-seat-flips-republican-orange-county-choi/63015077
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
For the first time since 1980, a Republican has flipped a seat in the California State Senate in a general presidential election.
Democratic State Sen. Josh Newman conceded in his race to continue representing Orange County to Republican former Assemblyman Steven Choi. Choi for days now has been leading the race and was up by about 6,000 votes as of Monday night.
Campaign finance data show the Democratic Party and other donors poured $6.8 million into Newman’s campaign. Choi meanwhile raised a fraction of that, at $856,271.
Choi got a boost from the largest labor union representing University of California workers, AFSCME 3299, which spent $3.5 million fighting Newman’s reelection through independent expenditures. The group was frustrated he didn’t support a constitutional amendment strengthening the workers’ rights.
This isn’t the first time voters ousted Newman. He was recalled in 2018 after voting to approve a measure that increased California’s gas taxes and vehicle registration fees.
“Politics, especially in today’s hyper-polarized environment, can be a mean and messy business,” Newman wrote in a statement. “I still believe that public service is the noblest of callings.”
“This is historical,” Choi said of his win to the Orange County Register. “Almost nobody believed in me other than myself.”
Choi is slated to be sworn in on Dec. 2.
