The apparent winner of the 49th Assembly District Special Election, held on February 15, is Mike Fong.  Fong, a  community college trustee and a Democrat, ran against Republican Burton Brink, a retired sheriff’s sergeant. The seat was left vacant when Ed Chau was appointed as judge to the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. It is presumed that Fong will have been certified by the LA County Registrar as the winner of the election by the time you read this. Fong will then finish Chau’s unexpired term until December 5, 2022.

Voter turnout was abysmal, with less than 15 percent of the 23,338 eligible voters casting ballots. Voters will get a chance to redeem themselves during the June 7 Primary Election, when they must vote for Fong or a replacement. So do not be surprised to see campaigning for the 49th District continue! Click here or visit lavote.gov for a list of other federal, state, and county offices to be decided in June.

The 49th District includes the cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City, and portions of El Monte, Montebello, and South El Monte. Five of the cities are in the LWV-PA service area.

—Martha Y. Zavala