Crime & Safety

Republican Assemblyman Wins Special Election for Vacant Senate Seat

A special election was necessitated by the resignation of Sen. Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands, who said his "level of commitment" had waned, and he felt constituents deserved better representation.

Assemblyman Mike Morrell, R-Rancho Cucamonga, is heading to the state Senate Wednesday after winning a special election to represent a 23rd Senate District.

Morrell received 62.6 percent of the vote in Tuesday's election, with all 811 precincts reporting, according to semi-official results released by the Secretary of State's Office.

Democrat Ronald O'Donnell, an attorney, was second with 15.3 percent, followed by Democrat Ameenah Fuller, a health care policy consultant, with 9.5 percent, Calimesa City Councilman Jeff Hewitt, a Libertarian, with 6.5 percent and San Jacinto Mayor Crystal Ruiz, also a Republican, at 6.1 percent.

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The special election was necessitated by the resignation of Sen. Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands, who said his "level of commitment" had waned, and he felt constituents deserved better representation.

In campaign literature, Morrell touted his legislative experience and two decades as a business owner. He said if elected, he would push for a balanced state budget, a reduction in the state bureaucracy and higher academic standards.

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"As as assemblyman, Mike has proven himself to be a man of strong character and I'm sure he'll continue providing the same high level of integrity and accountability in his position in the Senate," California Republican Party Chairman Jim Brulte said.

The 23rd Senate District runs from Hemet north to Big Bear, east to Cabazon and west to Rancho Cucamonga.

– City News Service.


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