CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' – AT 8:35 A.M. ET:  Results are in for the special congressional election in Los Angeles to fill the seat vacated by Democrat Jane Harman.  The Republican guy put up a superb fight in the safe Democratic district.  In the end, his dream wasn't realized, but he cut dramatically into Democratic strength, and Dems cannot be rejoicing this morning.  From AP, via Fox:

LOS ANGELES – Democrat Janice Hahn defeated Republican Craig Huey in a bitter contest for a Southern California House seat Tuesday, preserving the party's hold on the district and surviving an unusually tough race in a Democratic stronghold.

With 100% of precincts reporting, Hahn, a Los Angeles city councilwoman, had 41,585 votes, or about 55 percent, to 34,636, or about 45 percent, for Huey, who owns marketing and advertising companies and largely bankrolled his campaign with nearly $900,000 in personal funds.

With a light turnout and widespread voter anxiety over the economy, Republicans were hoping for an upset that would send a message heading toward the 2012 national elections, in which President Barack Obama will seek a second term.

But Hahn's victory was far from impressive, given an 18-point Democratic registration edge in the 36th Congressional District, which runs from the famous Venice boardwalk through the beach communities south of Los Angeles International Airport.

COMMENT:  Huey cut the traditional Democratic margin almost in half, especially impressive since Hahn is from one of the best-known political families in Los Angeles.  Her brother was mayor.  Maybe something big is happening out there, maybe not.  But Republicans can at least claim a kind of moral victory in L.A. today.  Any GOP good news in L.A. is news indeed. 

July 13, 2011