Welcome to The Election Beat, a weekly newsletter bringing you news and information about the election and uplifting the voices of readers like you.
Election Day is over – and we’re here for it, amirite?
It’s been a busy time in Boyle Heights.
Our team has been out reporting from the polls where people shared excitement and anxiety over the election. First-time voters learned a lesson in civics, a mother-daughter bonded by casting their ballots together, and others decided not to vote for presidential candidates. We also hit up election night watch parties for the two candidates running in L.A.’s most closely watched City Council race.
Over the last couple of months, we asked you about the issues that mattered most this election and we’ve covered the races and ballot measures that will most impact residents in Boyle Heights, L.A. City Council District 14 and the Eastside.
Now, we wait. It could be days or weeks before we get some California election results.
We’ll be back with more results and election stories shortly.
Until then, follow live election results here and find more of our election coverage here.
Results so far
Presidential race: Trump claims victory
Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the United States, according to a race call by the Associated Press. As of Wednesday morning, Trump had secured a majority of electoral votes needed to win the White House after winning key states. Read more here.
CD 14 Race: Jurado takes an early lead
Incumbent Kevin de León faced off against tenant rights attorney Ysabel Jurado in L.A.’s most closely watched race for City Council: CD 14. While votes were still being counted, the latest results from the L.A. County Registrar’s office at 3:46 a.m. Wednesday showed Jurado had 55.41% of the votes compared with De León’s 44.59%. The race is still currently too close to call, so make sure to keep an eye on our website for the the latest numbers and read more about how they spent election night here.
L.A. County District Attorney: Hochman unseats Gascón
Criminal defense attorney Nathan Hochman will replace incumbent George Gascón as L.A. County district attorney, according to AP. As of 1:02 a.m. Wednesday, Hochman had raked in 61.5% of the votes to Gascón’s 38.5%. While campaigning, Hochman vowed to undo progressive policies implemented under Gascón.
Assembly District 52:
Women’s rights advocate Jessica Caloza has a substantial lead in the race to represent AD 52, a seat left empty by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo who did not run for re-election. She faced off against Franky Carrillo, a justice reform advocate. As numbers currently stand, Caloza holds 67.1% of the votes to Carrillo’s 32.9%. The district spans most of East L.A. and Glendale, as well as Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Atwater Village, Silver Lake and Mount Washington.
Assembly District 54:
Mark Gonzalez is also leading in the race for AD54, with current numbers showing him with 56.6% of votes. Gonzalez faced a challenge from John Yi, a fellow Democrat who secured 43.4% of votes. The District encompasses the neighborhoods of Boyle Heights, Westlake, Koreatown, Pico-Union and Chinatown with boundaries including Vernon, Montebello and Commerce.
House 34:
Incumbent Jimmy Gomez, who has held California’s 34th Congressional District since taking office in 2017, has a strong lead. He faced competition from David Kim, a children’s court attorney. Current numbers show Gomez with 56.5% of votes to Kim’s 43.5%. The district encompasses Boyle Heights, Chinatown, City Terrace, Cypress Park, downtown L.A., Eagle Rock, El Sereno, Glassell Park, Highland Park, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Lincoln Heights, Pico Union and Westlake.
Voter voices
Boyle Heights resident Stephanie Lechuga voted early morning on Election Day at Tenrikyo Church on 1st Street.
Accompanied by her husband, young daughter and another child on the way, she said this election is all about making sure her children have the future they deserve.
“It’s really exciting to come out and vote today, it’s important to show up for your community because that’s where you’re living… I’m thinking about [my children’s] future… It’s all about the next generation of kids.”
Now, for relief from the election
Dealing with election anxiety? We’ve got some live animal cams to calm your nerves: Kittens, jellyfish, sea otters, anyone? LAist has done the good deed of rounding up animal live streams to help you distract, relax, and be one with nature.
