Trump, Biden wait on close counts in key battleground states; No on Prop 15 leading by 400,000 votes in California

IRWINDALE, CA - It was a long election night across America as the contest for president stretched into the early morning as the country awaited results from a handful of extremely close battleground states in the Mid West, South and Southwest. While the press has called Wisconsin and Michigan for Vice President Biden and Maine's 2nd District for President Trump, vote tabulations are ongoing with the presidency in the balance and the possibility of recounts or legal action possible.

In the House of Representatives, Republicans did surprisingly well, avoiding the defeat of any incumbent so far with a projected pick up of 5 seats, although many races remain undecided as yet. In the U.S. Senate, Democrats defeated GOP incumbents in Arizona and Colorado while Republicans picked up a Democratic seat in Alabama. Republican incumbents held off their challengers in close races in Montana, Maine and North Carolina. The Michigan Senate race between Democratic incumbent Gary Peters and Republican challenger John James remains extremely close, with Peters ahead by roughly 5,000 votes. Two Senate seats in Georgia will head to run-off elections in January.

Here in California, several controversial state ballot measures remain close although several others appear to be settled. Proposition 15, which asked voters if they wished to remove property tax protections on commercial and industrial properties worth over $3 million and dramatically increase taxes on those properties, is now behind with nearly 6 million votes opposing the measure - some 400,000 more than those in favor. Proposition 21, which would have expanded cities' ability to enact rent control, was soundly defeated with 59.8% of the current vote opposing the measure.

CLICK HERE FOR PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES.

In the San Gabriel Valley races for Congress and the State Legislature, most incumbents were re-elected by healthy margins, although we had several close, interesting races. In the 39th House District, covering Diamond Bar, Industry, Walnut and Rowland Heights, as well as portions of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, Republican Young Kim is leading the Democratic incumbent Gil Cisneros by 1,293 votes. More votes are forthcoming but expect this race to remain close. In the 29th Senate race, which overlaps with the 39th House District, Republican incumbent Ling Ling Chang is trailing former Democratic State Senator Josh Newman by roughly 10,000 votes. In the 55th Assembly seat, Republican incumbent Philip Chen leads his Democratic challenger Andrew Rodriguez by nearly 16,000 votes. And in the open 57th Assembly seat, Democrat Lisa Calderon has 60.5% of the current vote and appears likely headed to Sacramento.

CLICK HERE FOR PRELIMINARY SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CONGRESSIONAL AND STATE LEGISLATIVE ELECTION RESULTS.

Several city council races in the San Gabriel Valley yielded surprising results, with key incumbents trailing their challengers. In Pasadena, Councilman Victor Gordo leads Mayor Terry Tornek by 4,400 votes. In El Monte, Councilwoman Jessica Ancona leads Mayor Andre Quintero by nearly 1,500 votes. In Baldwin Park, Mayor Manuel Lozano trails his opponent Emmanuel Estrada by 659 votes. In Pomona, Mayor Tim Sandoval won 63.3% of the vote and appears headed towards re-election. Incumbent Councilmembers Robert Torres and Elizabeth Oliveros-Cole are both ahead by solid margins while in the 1st District, former Councilman John Nolte leads his challenger by only 75 votes.

CLICK HERE FOR PRELIMINARY SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CITY COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS

There are many other races to report on - look for more results for San Gabriel Valley school districts, community college trustees, and water districts tomorrow. More votes will be coming in for several days, so watch the close races to see how the vote totals change.

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