LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Republican Rep. Mike Garcia holds a 159-vote lead over Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith Thursday in the race for a northern Los Angeles County congressional seat.

What You Need To Know

  • Republican incumbent Mike Garcia holds a 159-vote lead over Democrat Christy Smith

  • Garcia has 165,178 votes to Smith's 165,019 as of Tuesday

  • The candidates both have 50% of the vote

  • The seat in CA's 25th Congressional District was long held by Republicans until former Rep. Katie Hill won it in 2018

 

Garcia has 165,178 votes and Smith 165,019, according to figures released Tuesday by the Secretary of State's Office. Both candidates have 50% of the vote.

There was no updated posted Wednesday, which was Veterans Day.

The lead has changed hands multiple times this week. On Tuesday morning, Smith, D-Santa Clarita, had a 1,287-vote lead. On Monday, Garcia, R- Santa Clarita, was leading by 432 votes.

It was unclear how many ballots from the 25th Congressional District remain to be counted. The district stretches from the Antelope Valley into Ventura County. Vote by mail ballots will continue to be accepted through Nov. 20 if they were postmarked by Election Day.

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Garcia defeated Smith, 54.86%-45.14%, or 95,667-78,721, in a May 12 special election to fill the final 7 1/2 months of the term of former Rep. Katie Hill, D-Agua Dulce, who resigned following the online release of salacious photos and allegations of an extramarital affair with a staff member.

The seat had long been held by Republicans until Hill's 2018 victory over then-Rep. Steve Knight, R-Palmdale.