Sorry to burst the bubble, but it’s not one more.
The seat had been held by a Republican. This was merely a GOP hold of a GOP seat.
The Dems in both houses are fairly close to two-thirds majorities
Senate - 40 members (27 needed for a super majority)
24-D
14-R
2 - vacant (I don’t know which party holds these seats)
Assembly 80 members (54 needed for a super majority)
52-D
28-R
The Democrats have controlled the state Senate continuously since 1970
With the exception of the brief interregnum of 1995-1996, when GOP had a one-vote majority in the state Assembly, the Dems have controlled the Assembly continously since 1970.
-George
Agreed, on the other hand Senator Gaines beat out two other Repbulicans by running on his conservative credentials and agenda (cut spending, balance the state budget, etc.).
I'd have to do more research on Dave Cox's voting record (untimely death during the summer), but I think the cause of conservatism in the state spikes noticeably upward. Still very much in the minority, it is, nevertheless, another voice for common sense within the chamber.
I voted yesterday for Gaines and got my “I Have Voted” sticker. We are one of the most conservative counties in CA. I voted and then went to the store. Two women at different times saw my voting sticker. One asked if I was a conservative. I said I was. She said she was too and was glad the sticker had reminded her to go vote. Another, a librarian type who I assumed might be a liberal, said she wanted to make sure the wrong guy didn’t win, that she hadn’t been political until the tea party but that she was going to rush to the polls after work to vote for Gaines. Women are awake and are now not afraid to say they are conservatives. This is the democrats’ worst fear.