Judy Chu and Betty Tom Chu maintain leads

With nearly two-thirds of precincts reporting, state Board of Equalization member Judy Chu maintains her lead in the race to replace former Rep. Hilda Solis representing much of the San Gabriel Valley in Congress.

Three hours after hours after the polls closed, with 65 percent of precincts reporting, Chu had 33 percent of the vote.

Though State Sen. Gil Cedillo, considered her main Democratic rival, is gaining on her lead, he continues to trail significantly with 25 percent of votes. Political newcomer Emanuel Pleitez, a 26-year-old financial analyst, is in third among Democrats, with 14 percent of the vote.

In the Republican race, Betty Tom Chu, a Monterey Park councilwoman and distant cousin of Judy Chu, holds the lead, with 10 percent of the vote. Restaurateur Teresa Hernandez, who spent nearly $100,000 in the race, much more than any other GOP candidate, trails with 8 percent; and David Truax, a former mayor of Covina, has 6 percent.

 

The top vote-getters from each party will face off in a special general election in July. Democrats outnumber Republicans in the district 2-1.