*Local News
Blakeslee defeats Laird in Calif. Senate District 15 runoff
Posted: Aug 17, 2010 11:20 PM by KCO
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Voters along California's Central Coast have turned back a Democratic attempt to gain more power in the state Legislature, electing a Republican to fill a vacant state Senate seat.
Based on unofficial returns, Republican state Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee defeated Democrat John Laird, a former state lawmaker. Blakeslee won big in San Luis Obispo County, which has the greatest number of voters in the five-county 15th Senate District.
Laird said he was not ready to concede defeat, while Blakeslee said voters appear to have picked the candidate who vowed to cut spending in Sacramento.
The race drew endorsements from President Barack Obama and GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. A win by Laird would have put Senate Democrats within one vote of reaching the voting threshold to pass budgets and tax increases.
PLEASE HELP US MODERATE COMMENTS
Offensive or inappropriate comments are subject to removal. To report a comment, please e-mail us at feedback@ksby.com, and include the name of the story and information on the comment.
Thank you! KSBY.com
KSBY.com is social!
Most Popular
HotSpot
Calendar
Wondering what to do this weekend? Check out our calendar of events across the Central Coast.
CA Lottery
Did you win? Check your numbers here. KSBY, the official CA Lottery station for the Central Coast.
KSBY.COM VIDEOS
Comments