GOP's Blakeslee leads in state Senate vote

AP via SFGate ^ | 8/18/10 | Samantha Young, Associated Press

[SmithL]

Republican Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee was holding the lead Tuesday in a special election for a state Senate seat that Democrats have long wanted to claim along California's Central Coast.

With more than 70 percent of returns counted from the district's five counties, Blakeslee had nearly 50 percent of the vote to 43 percent for former Assemblyman John Laird. The special election has drawn interest from around the state, both in endorsements and campaign donations. Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman stumped for Blakeslee over the weekend, while President Obama endorsed Laird.

[SmithL]

This was Abel Maldonado's seat until he resigned to be appointed Lt. Governor. The Democrats desperately want a 2/3 majority, so they can raise taxes without Republican help.